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Holtville council appoints Richard Layton to fill vacant seat after candidate draws and recusal discussion
Summary
Holtville City Council appointed Richard Layton that evening to fill the seat vacated by Ginger Ward after hearing seven applicants; the city attorney advised one councilmember to recuse because a spouse applied.
Holtville City Council appointed Richard Layton to a vacant council seat during a regular meeting after hearing presentations from seven applicants.
City Clerk Eva Rego told the council the vacancy resulted from the resignation of councilwoman Ginger Ward and that, under the city’s ordinance, the council must appoint a successor or hold a special election within 30 days. Rego explained a random draw process: applicants would pull a name from a bucket and speak for up to three minutes.
Before candidates spoke, the city attorney advised the council that a conflict of interest existed for one member whose spouse had applied, recommending that member step aside from discussion and voting on the appointment. The attorney read the applicable ethics language for disqualification, saying a financial interest in an appointment (compensation for the successful appointee) could require abstention and leaving the room until the decision concluded.
Seven applicants spoke in turn about their qualifications. Applicants included community volunteers and longtime residents who emphasized experience with local organizations, public-safety volunteers and civic engagement. After the presentations, a councilmember nominated Richard Layton and another councilmember seconded the motion. The council took a roll-call vote and the motion carried.
Layton was sworn in that evening and took the oath of office. Council members encouraged other applicants to consider running in the upcoming November election; the clerk reminded potential candidates that filing opened July 15 and that, in this circumstance, the filing deadline for an incumbent not running is August 14, with petitions requiring 20–30 signatures from registered voters in the city.
The appointment followed the procedure outlined in the city ordinance; the council did not hold a special election. The council’s recorded discussion included both the attorney’s recusal advice and a brief exchange in which members noted the value of maintaining gender diversity on the council.
