Update on Ward 5 appointment

Tuesday March 1st, I sent two letters to all members of City Council.  I've posted them below.  


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Council,

I thought I would provide an update on the ongoing search.  I was attempting to reach out to the elected representative to inquire if she would consider resuming her position.  She declined to contact me personally but through Mr. Campbell this morning she indicated that she does not.  

Given Mr. Lyons accusations on the Dias and my reaction I have put off consideration of the two candidates for which council was advocating.  I’ve not eliminated either but I anticipate it may take a couple months before I personally would consider either.  This is true even if one or the other withdrew their application. 

There are two exceptions to this.  The first being if council scheduled a special session of council and council passes a motion with at least five votes that asks me to nominate any of the three candidates we interviewed, I will appoint that individual.   I recommend next week before the work session as an opportune time. The second is that if Ed resigns I will appoint Ms. Newby.

It is my evaluation that an impartial examination of both candidates would offer positive and negatives for each candidate but in the end show that both are excellent candidates that would represent the city well.  I also believe that we can’t get to 5 votes because of a perception that appointing the other side’s candidate would negatively affect the power structure of their side.  Since I have that perception and I believe it is the controlling factor of at least four council member’s votes it would be foolish for me to not at least consider trying to find a candidate that I would consider a close ally going forward.  Since I had not considered this as a high priority in my decision making process until now, it is unlikely that I will appoint anyone in the near future unless council takes advantage of one of the two exceptions.


Respectfully,


Tom McMasters
Mayor of Huber Heights


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Council,
 

Should you decide to initiate a special council meeting to discuss and appoint one of the three applicants that we interviewed, I suggest you  come prepared to make one of these three motions:


Option 1:
Motion to accept Mayor McMasters offer to appoint Micheal Urig as Ward 5 Representative

Option 2:
Motion to accept Mayor McMasters offer to appoint Eva Newby as Ward 5 Representative

Option 3:
Motion to accept Mayor McMasters offer to appoint Jerry Wamsley as Ward 5 Representative

I've heard some concern that an appointment is better sooner than later.  If this is your opinion a special council meeting can be called by council as soon as tomorrow.  Contact Tony or look to the Rules of Council for guidance if you are unfamiliar with the process. 

Tom McMasters
Mayor of Huber Heights

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I've received feedback from 3 members of Council that indicate they are more interested in trying to solidifying their power base than they are in getting a Ward 5 representative appointed.   As such,  I am interested in hearing from you if you are from Ward 5, interested in becoming a member of council, qualified according to the charter and can lucidly discuss issues of the city in terms of the positions I've taken to include why you believe they are right or wrong. 

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