To the editor:
I am writing in response to last week’s letter regarding the filling of an open seat on the city council. The process for filling a vacant seat on the council is defined in our charter which directs the city council to fill the open position within 30 days of the seat being vacated. It should be noted that the appointment is a temporary solution and that ultimately the voters will decide who should fill the seat for the remainder of the term in the next general election.
There are many factors which are considered in the decision to appoint an individual. For example, is there someone available who has experience and can contribute to the governance process during the short timeframe that he/she will be serving? Should we appoint the candidate with the next highest vote counts if that candidate once held a council seat and was unsuccessful in his/her re-election bid as an incumbent? Are we listening to the will of voters if we appoint someone who lost in the general election? Would the appointment give an individual an unfair advantage in the next general election? These are some of the questions that each councilor has to weigh when asked to temporarily fill a seat.
Last week’s letter suggested that we did not look at the entire picture. I disagree; the council took all of the above factors, as well as others, into consideration when the majority voted in favor of a candidate to temporarily fill the vacancy.
As with most of the decisions that the city council has to make, there will always be people who disagree with the result. However, eight months from now the voters of the community will decide who will ultimately fill the open seat. Until then, the council has chosen an individual who has served the city well. He has a broad understanding of the community and municipal governance. He will be a strong advocate for all of the citizens of Caribou. Finally, he will not be seeking a seat on the council in the November election.
Chris Bell
Caribou
