Council opts to appoint a replacement

Election to fill Slert’s seat would cost $20K

The City Council is hiring.

Last night it took the first step toward replacing Councilman Charles Slert, whose resignation is effective Jan 5.

The Council opted to forgo a costly special election less than a year before the term expires and instead will take applications over the next three weeks, choosing a successor by majority vote before the deadline of February 4.

Councilwoman Donna Westfall recused herself right before the decision was made, citing the relapse of a recent illness.

“It’s always nice to have an election if it’s feasible financially,” Mayor pro tem Rich Enea commented, “but the election would cost us $20,000, money which we don’t have to spend.”

“Even if we had an extra $20,000 spare change, to spend it for an election that would only last six months probably wouldn’t be fiscally responsible,” Councilwoman Kelly Schellong added.

The empty seat is up for general election in November, along with those of Murray and Westfall.

The notice of solicitation for the vacancy will request applicants to submit a letter of interest and supplemental questionnaire to the City Clerk’s office before 5 p.m., Jan. 9. Materials are available at the Clerk’s office, 377 J Street.

The position includes a monthly stipend of roughly $630.

Also on Monday night the Council acknowledged the swearing in of a new police officer, Anthony Lopez, a 2008 graduate of the College of the Redwoods Police Academy and 2003 graduate of the Western Culinary Institute. He was previously a police officer and reservist in Rio Dell.

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