As a result of the resignation of District 1 Council Member David Gibbons, Mayor Scott LeMay and the City Council members interviewed 11 applicants for the interim position at its Monday, Nov. 30, work session. The mayor and council then held a special meeting Friday, Dec. 4, to accept nominations and vote on Gibbons’ replacement.
District 2 Council Member Deborah Morris said that there had been a number of excellent applicants and that she hopes their interest will continue and maybe prompt them to run for the full-term office at election time. Several other council members echoed this sentiment.
Morris nominated Dorothy Brooks. District 5 Council Member Rich Aubin nominated Ricky McNeal and District 7 Council Member Dylan Hedrick nominated James Van Dyke. Council Member B.J. Williams from District 3 nominated Marvin “Tim” Campbell.
The person who fills the position had to agree that their term would be interim only and they would not seek the council seat in the next election. The mayor and council also asked that the interim council member would adhere to the plans that Gibbons had previously put in place. They also agreed that experience in working with budgets would be an important asset of the correct candidate.
Williams commented that District 1 is in good shape and added that he “would be please to serve with any of these folks going forward.” He said that having a large number of people step up and volunteer for this responsibility is a “real plus.”
In the second round of voting, McNeal received six votes (those of LeMay, Morris, Williams, Aubin, District 6 Council Member Robert Vera and District 8 Council Member Robert J. Smith. Van Dyke received the votes of District 4 Council Member Jerry Nickerson and Hedrick.
City Attorney Brad Neighbor will continue to pursue affirmation from Austin that is needed to officially swear McNeal into office. As soon as that affirmation is received, every effort will be made to get McNeal up to speed and sworn in.
The applicants interviewed for the interim position at the Nov. 30 work session were:
Dominic Arzon
Dorothy Brooks
Marvin “Tim” Campbell
James Dobbins
Ricky McNeal
Alberto Perez
Stephan Rovelo
George Urbach
James VanDyke
Tracy Whitaker
Angeles Angie Whitney