Residents accuse council of shrouded vice‑mayor selection; mayor cites charter authority

Multiple speakers used the Sept. 23 public‑comment period to criticize the process the council followed to fill the vice‑mayor vacancy, saying the decision was made behind closed doors and without sufficient transparency.

At the microphone, Dr. George Reed said he attended expecting a democratic process and accused the council of taking away public input: "I came here this evening thinking I would be participating in a democratic process. And when I arrived, I found out that one of the most important positions on this council was selected behind closed doors." Jennifer Knight similarly accused council members of "political maneuvering in the shadows," and urged greater transparency and enforcement of lobbyist disclosures when development applicants appear before council.

Elpha Mitchell and others urged the council to appoint Dr. Ella Ward as vice mayor, citing her long service and regional experience. Mitchell said Ward "deserves it more than anyone else in this council does." Several speakers said that selection behind closed doors undermines trust in local government.

Mayor West responded directly to the concerns, explaining the city's practice and legal framework: "Selection of the vice mayor has not been a public discussion. It is, by charter, a decision that is made by the council and, therefore, the council made the decision." He said emails and other communications were available for public input but that the practice of appointing the vice mayor internally has been used at least since 2008 in Chesapeake.

No formal council action to change the selection process was taken at the meeting. Council members and the mayor acknowledged public concern and said the practice could be discussed for future rule changes, but they did not schedule a specific change during the session.