More discussion, this time in a special late afternoon session on Monday, Dec. 17, failed to resolve the issue of how to fill the vacancy on the Riverbank City Council.
The four members, newly elected Mayor Richard O'Brien and council member Darlene Barber-Martinez, in addition to re-elected Jeanine Tucker and vice mayor Dotty Nygard, could not agree on a selection. They are attempting to fill the seat vacated by O'Brien, who left at mid-term to challenge Virginia Madueno for the mayor's seat in the Nov. 6 election.
Two council members, O'Brien and Tucker, want to go to Cal Campbell, who finished third in the council voting in November. There were seven candidates for the council, Campbell was a close third in the race that saw Tucker and Barber-Martinez win the seats. They pointed to Campbell's obvious desire to serve on the panel and the strong support from the city voters in taking third as reasons to appoint him to the remaining term of O'Brien's council seat.
Meanwhile, Nygard and Barber-Martinez said they preferred opening up the candidacy to all eligible city residents and making an appointment based on the candidates who seek the seat.
Both are viable options, but City Manager Jill Anderson said the city does have to make a decision soon.
The council is definitely learning toward an appointment, because a special election to fill the seat, Anderson told the council at an earlier session, would cost between $38,000 and $57,000.
There is a timeline for filling the post, noted Anderson, with the vacancy having to be filled by Feb. 8.
The four members, newly elected Mayor Richard O'Brien and council member Darlene Barber-Martinez, in addition to re-elected Jeanine Tucker and vice mayor Dotty Nygard, could not agree on a selection. They are attempting to fill the seat vacated by O'Brien, who left at mid-term to challenge Virginia Madueno for the mayor's seat in the Nov. 6 election.
Two council members, O'Brien and Tucker, want to go to Cal Campbell, who finished third in the council voting in November. There were seven candidates for the council, Campbell was a close third in the race that saw Tucker and Barber-Martinez win the seats. They pointed to Campbell's obvious desire to serve on the panel and the strong support from the city voters in taking third as reasons to appoint him to the remaining term of O'Brien's council seat.
Meanwhile, Nygard and Barber-Martinez said they preferred opening up the candidacy to all eligible city residents and making an appointment based on the candidates who seek the seat.
Both are viable options, but City Manager Jill Anderson said the city does have to make a decision soon.
The council is definitely learning toward an appointment, because a special election to fill the seat, Anderson told the council at an earlier session, would cost between $38,000 and $57,000.
There is a timeline for filling the post, noted Anderson, with the vacancy having to be filled by Feb. 8.
