Election set for Sept. 12
JERRY FINK
MANAGING EDITOR
The Eufaula City Council last week called for a special election to be held on Sept. 12 to fill the Ward IV seat left vacant by the resignation last month of Dan Kirby.
The decision to call for an election came at the end of an executive session during which the four-member council discussed whether to have an election or to appoint one of five applicants for the vacancy.
The filing period for those who wish to run in the election begins at 8 a.m., Monday, July 31, and ends at 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 2.
According to the resolution passed by the council, “Each candidate must be a qualified elector by virtue of being a resident and registered voter within the municipality, and in the ward, for at least six months prior to filing a declaration of candidacy.”
The person elected will serve until April, 2025, when the term expires.
Before Thursday’s special meeting convened, former Police Chief Mark Goodwin addressed a group of supporters who attended the session to show their support for the lawman who submitted his resignation on May 3.
Goodwin said he resigned after City Manager Jeb Jones told him he wasn’t satisfied with his leadership and his job performance.
Jones declined to comment.
Goodwin’s purpose for speaking, he said, was to remind the group that the issue of his resignation was not on the agenda of the meeting and so it could not be discussed.
He urged everyone to not be disruptive.
More than 100 people attended the meeting, some carrying signs and showing support for Goodwin and others concerned about the filling of the vacant Ward IV seat.
Carol Albro, one of the sign carriers, was there for both.
She expressed concern about the chief ’s departure as spectators waited outside while the council members held an executive session indoors.
Then, after the executive session and before the council announced its decision, she stood at the podium and urged that an election for Ward IV be held instead of appointing someone to the position.
“People need to have an opportunity to vote for who will represent them,” she said.
Others also spoke out in favor of an election rather than appointment, including former Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Rossi and Kim Kephart.
State Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, told the council, “whatever you do here, make sure everyone sees that it is fair.”
Sharon McCoy asked that the council appoint Emma Watts.
“We need to have someone in there to represent Ward IV who cares about what happens there,” she said. “(Emma) is a person of integrity, honesty and compassion … she’s a fighter and she will always fight. That’s the kind of person you want to have in that position. And she will represent everybody.”
Jeanette Smith, retired superintendent of Eufaula schools, spoke on behalf of Dr. James Hickman, chiropractor.
“I have known him since he was a little lad. His family has been part of this community for decades … he is a business owner … he is a great asset to this community,” she said.
After the speakers had their say, the council voted unanimously to hold a special election.
The five who submitted their applications for the vacant seat included Hickman, Watts, Chris Hudson, Jeremy Fry and Robert Burns.
