Charter committee forwards suggestions
By JODY MURPHYArticle Photos
PARKERSBURG - A council committee appointed to review City Charter recommendations approved them Tuesday to the full council for consideration.
Council members Don Godfrey and Tom Joyce and committee chairman Jim Knapp voted to forward three recommendations made by the Mayor's Charter Review Committee with a 2-1 vote. Godfrey voted against the recommendation.
Committee members were in agreement over recommendation Nos. 1 and 3. All three council members had concerns regarding recommendation 2.
Knapp noted the recommended selection of vacant council members, which he supported, also applied to filling a vacant mayoral seat.
Knapp pointed out a vacant council seat would be filled by the mayor, who appoints an individual from three names submitted by the former councilman's county political party. The City Charter states a vacancy in the office of mayor would be filled the same as council. But Knapp noted it wouldn't be possible for a mayor to be appointed since the office was vacant.
Knapp and Joyce both agreed the approval of a mayor should fall to council, by a two-thirds vote. Godfrey opposed approving recommendation 2. He disagreed with the replacement of a council member coming from the county's political party. Godfrey, who is seeking re-election as an Independent in November, said if it was his seat, there would be no provisions for a suitable replacement.
"If I should win, what would we do in that respect?" he asked.
Godfrey suggested a provision where the second-place candidate would be named to fill the vacant seat.
However, Joyce and City Attorney Joe Santer both countered, asking what would happen if the winning councilman won by a landslide, possibly indicating voters did not want the runner-up in office.
Recommendation 1 applies to the definition of city residency and recommends council be given the authority to waive residency requirement for the City Engineer, City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney by a two-thirds vote.
Santer said the Mayor's Charter Review Committee recommendations focused on two of the prime conditions of residency; recognition of location by the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and state's department of tax and revenue. Recommendation 3 dealt with correcting technical and miscellaneous items, such as removing an obsolete map of the city districts and correcting out-dated terminology.
Joyce moved to approve recommendations 1 and 3 to council. He amended his motion to include recommendation 2 after Santer and the committee agreed the wording of proposal would be changed to indicate the determination of a mayor in the event of vacancy would fall to council, who would approve an appointment by a two-thirds vote.
Council will consider the committee's recommendation at its July 22 meeting.
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vortex
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07-09-08 11:37 PM
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Why not just lift the residency requirement for all city officals elected or appointed. Perhaps that way we could get a decent person to run for Mayor who has a little respect for the city and it's people.
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derbeobachter
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07-09-08 11:19 PM
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Let me get this right. Pothole Bob wants to re-write the city charter to enable him to appoint persons in positions traditionally afforded to those who live within the city limits. This is following his attempt to hand pick his counsel members. This is the “good ole boy” system at its finest. It is obvious what is in store for the NEW city attorney which will be appointed at the first of the year after vacating office. If this is allowed then were will it stop. Why then have restriction on any position or appointment, Chief of Police, Fire etc. Newell once again is knighting his kingdom.
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charter14
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07-09-08 12:39 AM
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what a sham! the mayor appoints a committee of NON residents to change the city charter. They meeting in secret (a conclave) The Mayor approves of the secrecy so the committee can "work" without outside influence...WHAT THE HELL? Is this open government? The Mayor had NO authority to appoint the committee. This is soley the responsibility of the City Council (of which Newell is trying to control). So after the "conclave committee" meets, selects a pope, and releases the documents, THEN the city council appoints a 3 man committee to rubber stamp (opps I mean approve the changes) and move them forward to City Council. Godfrey is the only guy who made any sense...his point should be well taken. Also...how in the heck does the mayor appoint a replacement to be Mayor when the mayor has to be gone....for there to be a vacancy in the first place. What a bafood Prince bobby is.
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