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Town government will look different

The mayor is retiring because of term limits, and two council seats must be filled.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published December 14, 2005

KENNETH CITY - Voters in this town can expect a lot of change in the coming year: a different mayor and two new council members.

Mayor Bill Smith will be retiring after two terms. The Kenneth City charter limits the mayor to six years in office.

Also leaving the council will be Fran Luke. The charter limits council members to six years of service, or three two-year terms.

Muriel Whitman, who holds the other seat up for grabs in the March 14 election, will run again, but for mayor, leaving her council position available.

"I just feel I can do a pretty good job," Whitman said. "I feel confident on this new adventure."

Whitman has served on the council since 2002 when she was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Ted Wiesner, who resigned because of a conflict with his Coast Guard duties. She has been vice mayor for the past three years and was acting mayor while Smith was hospitalized. She said that experience would serve her well as mayor.

Whitman declined to say what her priorities would be, preferring to discuss those later in the campaign. She said she has lived in Kenneth City since 1956 and loves the town.

"I want the best for the people and the town," she said.

Whitman celebrated her 80th birthday Tuesday and said, "I feel 18. I'm a young thinker."

She was raised in the Panama Canal Zone and plans to visit again in February. She is married and has three children, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Residents interested in running can pick up an election packet at the Town Hall, 6000 54th Ave. N. Qualifying does not officially open until noon Friday, but town clerk Nancy Beelman said the packets are already prepared.

People serious about running must have their paperwork turned in by noon Dec. 23, Beelman said. All races are nonpartisan and at-large with voters from the entire town voting for the candidates. The top vote-getter in the mayor's race and the top two in the council races win the election.

In Kenneth City, the mayor and council members run the town's daily business. The mayor oversees the town government while each council member is in charge of a single department, such as recreation.

The mayor and council meet at least twice a month, once for a voting meeting, once for a workshop. The mayor earns $6,000 annually for a three-year term. Council members earn $3,600 annually and serve two-year terms. Kenneth City has about 4,500 residents.

Voters also will have to make some decisions about the town charter, with seven proposed amendments on the ballot. Council members are scheduled to give their final approval tonight to put the amendments on the ballot.

Most are housekeeping proposals. For example, one amendment would eliminate the requirement that active members of any political organization must resign before running for the council.

Another amendment would change the council's monthly workshop session from mandatory to optional. If passed, the workshop session would be held only if needed to conduct town business.

Qualifying opens Friday for election to the office of mayor and two council seats. Packets can be picked up now at Town Hall, 6000 54th Ave. N. The deadline for qualifying is noon Dec. 23.

[Last modified December 14, 2005, 00:14:15]