Alderman resigns from Alexander council

Ward-3 Alderman Dan Church has resigned from the City of Alexander council. He submitted his hand-written letter of resignation to Mayor Michelle Hobbs on Thursday, July 18. The letter gave no reason for his resignation. Church was elected in 2012 defeating incumbent Harvey Howard.

This is the third resignation for the council this year. The first was Ward-4 Alderman Henry Tackett, who was elected during the November, 2012 election. He resigned for health reasons and died shortly thereafter. The second was Ward-3 Alderman Jack Shoemaker, who resigned after moving out of the city.

The council appointed Faye McKeon to fill the Ward-4 position and Samuel Gregory to fill the Ward-3 spot. Both had served on the council in the past.

The council must now find candidates to fill the latest vacancy.

Former Alexander alderman appointed to fill vacancy

CORRECTIONS: One of our bloggers, Bill, has pointed out in paragraph one the month of the meeting should have been July not June. Also, in paragraph three Shoemaker's name was used instead of Gregory. These were obviously incorrect. We apologize for the confusion. Thanks Bill.

  
Samuel Gregory was appointed as alderman of Ward-3 at the City of Alexander's June 15 meeting. Gregory replaces former Alderman Jack Shoemaker who resigned after moving out of Alexander.

This is not Gregory's first time filling a vacancy created by Shoemaker. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in Ward-3 when Jack Shoemaker resigned in 2012 over political issues. He then lost to Shoemaker when they both ran in the 2012 election.

Besides Gregory, there were five other Ward-3 residents who submitted resumes for the position. They were Harvey C. Howard, Lisa Morgan, Kathy B. Hall, Catherine M. Nightlinger, and Andrea Bearden.

Howard is also a former Ward-3 alderman. He lost re-election in 2012 to Dan Church after serving nearly five years on the city council.

Six Alexander residents apply for vacant seat

Numerous other items on agenda

Monday night's agenda for the Alexander City Council includes considering six resumes from residents wanting to fill a vacant seat in Ward-3. The seat became available when Alderman Jack Shoemaker moved out of the city. Those submitting resumes are Harvey C. Howard, Samuel D. Gregory,  Lisa Morgan, Kathy B. Hall, Catherine M. Nightlinger, and Andrea Bearden.

Two of the six have already served on the council. Howard lost re-election in 2012 to Dan Church after serving nearly five years on the city council. Gregory was appointed to fill a similar vacancy in Ward-3 when Jack Shoemaker resigned in 2012. He then lost to Shoemaker when they both ran in the 2012 election.

Other items on the agenda include appointing a treasurer to fill the vacancy created when JoAn Churchill resigned earlier this year, a proposed amendment to Ordinance 2013-2 to include an emergency clause for the street abandonment ordinance passed last month, a proposed amendment to Ordinance 2013-3 to include an emergency clause for the zoning variance granted to Dollar General last month, a discussion regarding how to compel council members to attend meetings, establishing a "referendum period" for ordinances, re-establishing the planning commission and board of adjustment, and the formal adoption of zoning code. The information packets provided to council members on Saturday did not include any information, documentation, or proposed ordinances necessary to take action on any of these items. 

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, July 15, at 6 PM in City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.