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Drovetta Announces Candidates for Open Council Seat

Posted on Mar. 28th, 2010

Posted by Peter Solie
GardnerEDGE

Mayor Dave Drovetta and residents at a Town Hall meeting on March 27th. (GardnerEDGE photo)

Mayor Dave Drovetta held a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, March 27 to discuss the process of choosing someone to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Dan Thompson. Prior to Mr. Thompson’s resignation, Mayor Drovetta announced that he would select him to participate in the appointment of an individual to fill the seat vacated by former City Council Member Mary Peters. However, with the resignation of Thompson, Drovetta has selected Council President Todd Winters to serve with him on the interview committee. Mayor Drovetta pointed out that, “Todd and I are the only elected officials on the Governing Body.”

Mayor Drovetta announced the names of the individuals that had indicated interest in the open seat. They are:

• Andy Copeland – Currently on the Planning Commission and Zoning Appeals Board
• Tori Roberts – Currently on the Planning Commission and former candidate for City Council
• Mark Baldwin – Garmin Employee, new to City Politics
• Steve Shute – Former candidate for City Council
• Bryan Broxterman – Currently serves on the Electric Utility Board
• Glenn Stockton – Local Attorney
• Eric Shultz – Former City Council Member, former Planning Commission Member
• Anne Cort – New to City Politics

We have received a statement from Tori Roberts regarding her position on issues. We will publish statements from the other candidates as we receive them. Additionally, we will have some questions for the candidates and we will post those responses as we receive them.

At the Saturday meeting, Mayor Drovetta explained that the process in place would be followed for the appointment to fill the Thompson seat. He spoke of changes to the Charter Ordinance that should be investigated including:

• A more formal set of guidelines to be followed should a vacancy occur.
• Elimination of the 45 day waiting period for the rejection of a Mayoral appointment. Mayor Drovetta explained that the Council should explain their objection and vote against an appointment if they so choose, but the 45 day wait and then automatic appointment doesn’t work.
• Investigate the implementation of having the appointed official stand for election at the next regularly scheduled municipal election (this would not be a “special election” but a requirement to stand for election prior to the expiration of the term if a municipal election were held before the natural expiration of the term.)
• Roeland Park is the only local municipality to hold a “special election” if a seat is vacated. The Mayor spoke in opposition to this plan but said that the Council would be investigating all options as they review changes to the Charter Ordinance. He said, “I won’t recommend a special election, but we will go through an investigation to determine what system should be used.”

Questions from the citizens gathered at the event included this statement from Chris Morrow. He said, “It is not a question of are they (appointed council members) capable. It is, is the public being served with elected representatives?”

Jerry Kellogg reminded the Mayor that in reference to the appointment process, “You’ll never hear the end of it until we change it.” The Mayor outlined the process for changing the Charter Ordinance once the Council has reviewed the options and determined which changes they choose to make. The process is as follows:

• A super majority (4 of 6) is required from the Governing Body
• 2 week notice is published
• 60 day “challenge period” before the Charter Ordinance takes effect
• If challenged signatures would be required
• If sufficient signatures are gathered the Council could withdraw the proposed changes or hold an election
• The City would manage any Charter Ordinance changes so that the challenge period aligns with a scheduled election (eliminating any special election costs) if challenged.

The Mayor closed the meeting with the following statements, “As we review and change the appointment process, we should make those changes based upon the usual reasons for vacancies, life issues.” The mayor defined life issues as job changes, illness or death of the Council Member or a family member, and other factors that happen in families. He continued, “I challenge everyone in this community to look at Dan (Newburg) and Kristy (Harrison) and judge them on their merits. My detractors are going to say they are your cronies, or buddies. So just do it anyway. I disagree. That’s not healthy.”

Finally, the Mayor announced that there would be additional Town Hall meetings in the future to discuss the budget and other items of importance. It is anticipated that Mayor Drovetta and Council President Winters will conclude their interviews and have a recommendation for the City Council prior to the April 19th Council Meeting.

The Council will meet in regular session on Monday, April 5th.

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jdelphiki wrote on 4/2/2010 11:05 am

What are you saying, Freaky? That we should all accept your word, your perception on who is or isn't innocent? That we should accept your word on who's dragging innocent people through the mud?

We get that you don't like that people have been criticized on this site. But your post suggests that we should just ignore the things that WE believe in -- things that we've seen and made up our own minds about.

Your post suggests that we should ignore the truly hateful, horrendous posts that have been put out here by some of the very people you seem to call "innocent".

Are you interested in fairness, Freaky? Or are you just protecting your own favorites? If you're interested in fairness, then let's find a way to make it work.

Innocent people? wrote on 4/1/2010 7:03 pm

Thats a laff

Good advice wrote on 4/1/2010 2:08 pm

Have you tried it yourself?

jdelfreaky wrote on 4/1/2010 1:22 pm

It's hypocritical to admonish us about Easter when you run a web site full of hate. How many innocent people have been drug thru the mud on here? Look in the mirror

Avis needs to worry about her own sinful self wrote on 3/31/2010 9:08 am

Avis wrote on 3/31/2010 8:06 am

A little Easter present - you can each think that you got the last word. Please think about what the upcoming Easter celebration is all about.

Heath wrote on 3/29/2010 1:39 pm

It's a fair point Pat, but the Mayor made a statement on Saturday that I thought was rather insightful. He understood the uniqueness of our situation, but asked that we remember that the appointments ARE being made by an elected official. An official who received a majority vote in the last election and is sworn to represent Gardner and it's citizens.

I personally believe that there is a knee-jerk reaction to an event that has never happened before, and the odds are overwhelmingly against ever happening again. Too much focus on this could be a distraction from much more critical issues facing the city.

The Mayor has promised to review and possibly revise the City's Charter Ordinances where needed.

@ Pat wrote on 3/29/2010 1:27 pm

And who's fault is that?

pat morrow wrote on 3/29/2010 1:15 pm

I don't think I would be opposed to Mayor Drovetta appointing 1 or even 2 council4l15 members - but 4!!!!! That is over the top and I realize this is a situation that may not happen for a long time - but - we DO NO HAVE elected representation on the City Council

Heath wrote on 3/29/2010 12:07 pm

I apologize. I failed to mention that both newly appointed councilmen were able to attend the meeting Saturday morning. Councilman Hale was the only member not present.

I've often wondered why some feel that staying away from the meetings, and making anonymous/ugly posts on an online news source, help with any problems. I can't see how. Perhaps some just thrive on the negativity, and enjoy being part of the problem much more than being part of the solution.

While I can't speak for what is said behind closed doors, Mayor Drovetta was very open to all of the opinions shared on Saturday morning. Did he seem to agree with all of them...probably not. He was respectful and open eared to all those that cared to speak though. That's all I've ever seen from the Mayor since taking office.

Heath wrote on 3/29/2010 11:34 am

I believe there were 15, maybe 16 people at the meeting on Saturday morning, including myself. That number was made up of reps from the Edge and The News, 4-5 of the candidates who had offered their names, Councilman Winters, and the new Chamber Director. I think that left only 5-6 people who were not part of the process in one way or another. I was suprised by the turnout, considering all the discussion that has taken place about the appointments and the process.

How many were at this meeting???? wrote on 3/29/2010 9:35 am

Show me the numbers.

4 Seats wrote on 3/29/2010 7:01 am

I like the idea of having a town hall meeting on the budget. I would love to hear a little more detail about what goes on with the city's money than what they can cover in council meeting. And in the council meeting you can't really ask questions. Sounds good Mr Mayor.

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Drovetta Announces Candidates for Open Council Seat

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