Council tables deputy mayor selection

AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The domino effect of former Mayor Kevin Richey’s resignation, former Councilman Steve Lawrence’s resignation and Councilwoman Jennifer Morton’s approved extended absence for several months due to deployment reared its head when the time came for council to select a deputy mayor at its first legislative session of the year Jan. 4.

Former Deputy Mayor Sonny Weathers was named Richey’s mayoral replacement through the end of his term in 2021 and was heading up his first meeting as mayor/council chair. That left Larry Bowman, Veronica Messing and Doyle Inman as the only other council members present, for a total of four council members.

When city manager Albert Tripp informed the council that a majority vote was all that was needed to name a deputy mayor, city attorney Stanley Schwartz interjected and noted that that rule mandates that a minimum of four votes be cast. With only four councilmembers present, the vote needed to be unanimous.

Council decided to attempt to select a deputy mayor, with Bowman and Inman stating they felt a unanimous vote could be reached.

Bowman and Messing then both nominated themselves for the position. Inman did not make a nomination. Weathers then put each candidate up for a council vote.

Weathers, Inman and Messing all voted for council’s lone present female member. Bowman voted for himself. Messing had a 3-1 advantage, but due to the city rule Schwartz brought up, the four votes needed to approve her taking the deputy mayor’s position weren’t obtained.

Bowman then made a motion to table the discussion until more council members were present so a full four votes could be reached, opting not to switch his vote to Messing, which would have given Messing the four votes necessary to be deputy mayor. Council approved the motion unanimously.

Another council member being present at the meeting could be a ways away. Weathers related that the application process of receiving, interviewing and selecting nominees will likely go into mid-February.

Tripp noted that three submissions have been received thus far. Applications are open through Jan. 29.

The discussion was council’s only action item aside from consent agendas. An action item to approve a 31-lot preliminary plat at Traditions West was tabled.

Drew Lawson can be reached at drew@cheneyfreepress.com.