Blufftown Council appoints Spencer Wade to midterm vacancy

The Blufftown Council voted unanimously on Oct. 28 to appoint Spencer Wade to a midterm vacancy on the council. The council said the newly appointed member will be sworn in during the regular meeting on Nov. 4.

Council members interviewed both Wade and fellow applicant Gary Hawes during a special meeting that began with roll call. Wade told the council he moved to Bluff after meeting a local resident and later worked in construction and as a river guide. "What I love about Bluff is the people and the sense of community," Wade said during his introduction.

Council discussion after the interviews focused on maintaining a full planning and zoning commission through January, when new council members will take office, and on how an early appointee could help tie up ongoing matters. Some members said having a full complement of planning and zoning members would aid progress on ordinance work and outstanding enforcement issues.

The motion to appoint Wade was made, seconded and approved without recorded opposition. The council agreed to arrange onboarding, including setting up town email and a brief orientation, and noted the appointee could begin meeting with individual council members to get up to speed.

The council also discussed scheduling and the logistics of the swearing-in: the appointee will be sworn in at the council's Nov. 4 meeting and then begin serving with the rest of the incoming group in January.