Council Defers Action to Fill Kelly’s Seat

The City Council by a 3-2 vote on Monday night deferred action in filling the vacancy created by the Nov. 7 death of Councilman Jack Kelly.

Councilwoman Grace Winchell moved that the incumbent council “defer any action until the seating of the new council.”

Two new members of the City Council, Dave Sullivan and Victor Leipzig, will be sworn in Dec. 7. Sullivan and Leipzig ran on an environmental ticket and are closely allied to Winchell and Council Member Linda Moulton-Patterson. Those four will form an environmental majority on the seven-member council in December.

Mayor Jim Silva said before the meeting that he wanted the incumbent council to appoint Planning Commissioner Susie Newman to fill the council vacancy. Newman finished a close fourth in the Nov. 3 election to fill three City Council seats.

Several people in the audience Monday night urged Newman’s appointment during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Former Planning Commissioner Kirk Kirkland said: “The voters, by exercising their rights to vote, said in effect, if we had four positions available, we would want Susie Newman to be on the council. . . . She should be your choice as well.”

But some other speakers urged the council to delay action on the vacant seat. John Fisher of Save Our Parks said: “I think this is an emotionally charged issue, it should be done with great care. . . . Put it off, and get the best person.”

Debbie Cook, also of Save Our Parks, said: “When Pete Wilson resigned from the Senate, he didn’t pick the runner-up as the replacement.” She also urged the council to delay filling the vacancy and not to be swayed by arguments for picking the fourth finisher in the election.

Moulton-Patterson said before the meeting that in December she will move to have the council set up a screening procedure for applicants for the council vacancy.

“I want the procedure to be open, and available to all citizens,” she said.