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Yukon council removes at-large library representative after public objections; appoints Johnina Wardwell
Summary
The Yukon City Council voted 3–2 on Feb. 3 to remove Amy Walters as the at-large representative to the Yukon Public Library board and to appoint Johnina Wardwell. Multiple residents said Walters was not notified before being removed and criticized the council for a pattern of sidelining dissenting volunteers.
The Yukon City Council voted 3–2 on Feb. 3 to remove Amy Walters as the at-large ward representative to the Yukon Public Library board and to appoint Johnina Wardwell to that position.
The item was placed on the agenda by the at-large council member and moved and seconded in council business. During public comment residents including Susan Heggie (720 Chateau Avenue) and Stephanie Burdine (515 Maple) said Walters had not been notified in advance and called the action "rude," "shameful" and disrespectful to a long-time volunteer. Heggie asked whether Walters had missed meetings or committed misconduct; she said Walters told her she had not been contacted and learned of the removal from a third party.
Mayor (identified during discussion) and council members said representatives are appointed at each council member's discretion and that the council must still vote on appointments. Mayor said he did not believe Walters had done anything wrong and described the change as a normal roster adjustment when a council member selects a different representative.
Joe Horn (102 S. 5th) told the council he believed volunteers who disagree with the council are quickly removed, criticized the council's record and said the city "desperately needs experience" on boards. Horn again raised election-related grievances during public comment; the mayor responded that Horn's prior board service term had concluded rather than been an administrative removal.
When the clerk called the vote, Vice Mayor Jeff Wooten voted "Yes," Councilwoman Shelley Selby and Councilman Rodney Zimmerman voted "No," and Councilmen Adam Shriver and Brian Gilmore voted "Yes," producing a 3–2 outcome approving the removal and appointment.
The council did not provide written findings in the meeting minutes explaining the basis for the change; residents at the podium urged the council to notify volunteers before removing them from boards and to provide more transparency about appointment decisions. The council discussion noted that nominations to boards and commissions are within each council member's discretion and that such changes require a council vote.
Next steps: Johnina Wardwell will take the at-large library board seat. The council did not schedule further public hearings on the library board appointment during the Feb. 3 meeting.
