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After brief tiff, council agrees on vacant seat

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published December 31, 2006

Two council members engaged in a short tiff at Tuesday's council meeting over the prospect of appointing former Mayor Dottie Reeder to an unexpected vacancy on the board.

In the end, the council decided to take applications. If Reeder wants the job, she can apply just like anyone else, they said.

Reeder, however, said she has no plans to either apply or run for city office. But, if the council asks ...

"I would be willing to help out," Reeder said. "If the council asked me to do something, I would do it."

The seat came open this month when council member Trina Watkins resigned to run for mayor against Jimmy Johnson, who holds that position, and Arden Ford, a local business owner. The city charter requires the council to appoint someone to serve the remainder of the term within 30 days of the vacancy.

That puts the council on a short timeline, a reason that prompted Tom Barnhorn to call Reeder and ask if she'd serve.

Reeder, he said, has 17 years of experience: six on the council and 11 as mayor.

She resigned in November to run for the state House against Janet Long, and narrowly lost the election.

Reeder told Barnhorn that, if the council asked, she would serve the remaining two years of Watkins' term.

"I would like to see us appoint her," Barnhorn said Tuesday.

Council member Dan Hester agreed, saying, "I would not have any issue at all with asking the mayor if she is so inclined to throw her name into the hat. I can't think of anyone that would be more qualified than someone who has given 17 years and understands this city and its residents very well."

Pat Hartstein and John Counts disagreed. For them, the best solution was to advertise and let Seminole residents apply. Reeder, said Counts, could apply if she has an interest.

Bob Matthews was more vehement. When Reeder resigned, he said, she "was pretty vocal" that she was "finished with Seminole and wanted to do other things."

Matthews added, "If that's different now, she needs to communicate that to us."

Hester objected to Matthews' characterization of Reeder's comments when she resigned.

Reeder said Wednesday, "I never said I was finished with the city. (I said) it's time for new leadership."

Want the job?

Seminole is taking applications to fill the unexpired council term of Trina Watkins. Applicants must have been a resident of Seminole and a registered voter for at least one year before the appointment. The deadline is 4:30 p.m. Thursday. There are two years left on the term and the salary is $5,562 a year. For information or an application, call City Clerk Lesley DeMuth, 391-0204. The council is scheduled to make its decision Jan. 9.

[Last modified December 30, 2006, 22:01:52]