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Algoma council appoints Jamie Stangle to District 4 after contested vote
Summary
The Algoma Common Council appointed resident Jamie Stangle to fill the District 4 vacancy on Feb. 17 after a divided vote that followed objections over an earlier nominee’s application timing and a call for a consistent vacancy policy.
The Algoma Common Council voted to appoint Jamie Stangle to the District 4 alderperson seat at a special meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17. After two rounds of voting — a failed nomination for Jake Murray and a subsequent successful motion to appoint Stangle — the council recorded a 5-2 roll-call vote in favor of Stangle.
Stangle, who introduced herself as a resident of Algoma for more than 37 years and said she volunteers with the local chamber, told the council she wants “to be more involved in my community.” The appointment followed a contested discussion in which council members raised concerns about application procedures and fairness.
One council member objected to the earlier nomination of Jake Murray, saying Murray had submitted a letter of intent on Jan. 3, before the vacancy notice was posted Jan. 5, and had not followed the advertised application requirements (a resume and letter). “So somehow, the integrity of the election was compromised,” the council member said, urging the body to adhere to the instructions posted for applicants and to preserve public confidence.
A separate council member argued that prior candidates who narrowly lost an election could be reasonable choices for appointment, saying Murray had run previously and was known to voters in his ward. Council debate also included calls to adopt a uniform policy for filling future vacancies to avoid ad hoc variations in process.
After the successful motion to appoint Stangle, staff administered the oath of office and Stangle was seated as the alderperson for District 4.
What happens next: council members said they will place a proposed policy on filling vacancies on an upcoming personnel/finance agenda so the process can be standardized going forward.
Vote details: an initial motion to appoint Jake Murray failed with a 3-4 roll call. A subsequent motion to appoint Jamie Stangle passed on roll call, recorded in the meeting as five yes votes and two no votes.
Proper names and context: The discussion referenced candidate Jake Murray and departing member Dawn Kidd; the council noted that a resignation email becomes a public record and opens the seat when submitted. The council chair confirmed the vacancy and oversaw the roll-call votes.
Ending: Stangle took the oath and was congratulated; the council moved on to other agenda items, including finance reports and capital projects.
