Replacement for Boutwell at next meeting
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to compile a list of nominations and appoint someone at the next council meeting to fill the council seat left vacant when Ben Boutwell submitted his resignation June 8 in order to run for mayor in August.
Boutwell's council seat No. 3 does not end until 2022.
Council President Ann Brooks first nominated Mary Bourgeois.
“I would like to nominate Mary Bourgeois, who has served as chairman of our Charter Review Committee,” said Brooks. “I feel like it would be prudent to not nominate anyone who is running for the office, so as not to show and unfair advantage to anyone.”
Councilman Luis Gomez, Jr. said he thought the council should open the position up to advertisement.
“I don't think it would be fair to both of the candidates (Shelisa McCall and Leonard White, who qualified to run for the seat in August), if we put someone in there who is already in the system,” said Gomez.
Brooks read what the charter said: 'A vacancy in the council shall be filled in one of the following ways: (1) If there are six months remaining in the unexpired term or (2) if there are less than six months before the next regular town election, the council, by a majority vote of the remaining members, shall choose a successor to serve until the newly elected council member is qualified.'
“That is not requiring any type of application process,” said Brooks.
Gomez said he understood Bourgeois was connected to one of the candidates, or helping a candidate, which he thought may show favoritism.
Brooks said she did not know. Bourgeois, who was listening to the meeting by phone, spoke up and said she is the campaign treasurer to council seat No. 3 candidate Shelisa McCall.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said anyone serving on the Charter Review Committee, he or she could not serve on the council because that would be a conflict of interest. He recommended that council members come up with one person each that they would like to nominate, create a list, and decide at the next meeting.
Council members Sandra McMurray Jackson and James Smith agreed.
“We put it on the agenda for discussion and further consideration, not to make an appointment tonight,” said Hawkins. “But for you to think about it so at the next council meeting, we can have discussion and then appoint somebody that would be beneficial to the town.”
Gomez suggested making the process like hiring for a job position with advertisement, giving the council time to work through the applications to find the best person. Councilwoman Jackson asked about a time frame for the decision. Mayor Hawkins told her the quicker, the better.
“The quicker you fill it, the better off you will be,” said Hawkins. “Right now you have four people voting, and you could be dead-locked on any decision you make. We need to make this decision by next council meeting.”
Hawkins suggested making the closing July 1, at close of business. That would be enough time to get together a packet of nominations, review them and make a decision.
In a motion made by Councilman James Smith and seconded by Councilman Gomez to make a decision at the next council meeting after review, the motion carried unanimously.
On the ballot in the Aug. 18 election, voters will see candidates Ben Boutwell and Henry Hawkins for mayor; Calvin Kenneth Cottrell, Jr., Dynette Lewis and Ann Brooks for council seat no. 1; incumbent Luis Gomez, Jr. running unopposed for council seat No. 2 and Shelisa D. McCall and Leonard B. White for council seat No. 3.
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m., July 6, at Century Town Hall or by phone at 712-770-5019, access code 227646#.
