To the editor,
Next Tuesday, the Adrian City Commission continues their chosen process for appointing a new commissioner, a position typically filled by someone the voters choose to represent them.
A little background is in order. A vacancy on the commission occurred when Devin Stevens resigned. The city charter requires the position to be filled within 60 days, but gives no specific procedure. Commissioners could have called another election, appointed the person who received the next highest number of votes; or appointed someone else. They voted 4-2 to solicit applicants.
The commissioners have done a serious disservice to residents. First, we have already voted, establishing the will of the people very clearly. The easiest and most logical decision would be to appoint the candidate who got the next highest number of votes. After all, it’s reasonable to assume that candidate would have gotten more votes if Mr. Stevens had not been on the ballot in the first place.
Second, we had a variety of information to base our votes on. Leading up to the election in November, we found out about candidates in several ways: by reading their answers to questions published in The Daily Telegram, by voting in the primary, or by attending the public debate. This is important to underscore. Before we voted, we had ample opportunity to find out about the candidates and decide how to vote. Not now.
Third, the process the commission is using is not very accessible. It will take a Freedom of Information Act request to see the information submitted by the 11 self-selected applicants. Commissioners will deliberate at their pre-meeting this Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall. The criteria they will use isn’t published. The date of the vote is yet to be determined. You have to go to the city’s website or social media.
Fourth, we have absolutely no say. Four to six men will decide for the 20,000 residents of Adrian. They will do so using a process that ignores the people’s will as indicated in the election outcome. I disagree with the process. It is undemocratic.
I call on the commissioners to use the total vote count and award the seat to the person voters have already expressed confidence in. Let’s start this new term of city government with one less contentious issue that gets in the way of Adrian city commissioners serving the people.
Sincerely,
Juanita Kelley, Adrian