By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
And then there were six — again.
The Whitewater Common Council is going down a familiar path as it plans to appoint a resident to fill a recent vacancy on the seven-member elected body.
Council member Craig Stauffer, who represents the city’s 1st aldermanic district, has resigned from his position, effectively immediately. A resignation letter was not provided in the council’s Aug. 6 packet, but Stauffer is reportedly leaving his post because he is moving out of the community because of a job offer in Iowa.
Stauffer ran unopposed for the District 1 seat when it was up for grabs this spring. Plans are in motion to seek an appointee through next April, and the person filling the remainder of the term will be chosen by voters during next spring’s general election.
This is the fourth time in the past two years the council has addressed filling a vacancy. Most recently, James Langness III was appointed to fill a vacancy that occurred in District 2 this spring.
Statutorily, the council has one of three options when a vacancy occurs. It can simply do nothing and leave the spot vacant until the next general election in April. Another option — one that would incur costs — is to hold a special election.
During a brief deliberation on the next steps to addressing Stauffer’s resignation, Council President Patrick Singer pointed to a policy that was drawn up to address this procedure. The policy outlines the city’s third option under state statutes that calls for an appointment process before the next election.
“We’ve used it many, many times,” Singer said.
Council members agreed to continue past policy and seek nominations for an appointment through next April.
A deadline of 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, has been set for District 1 residents to submit nomination materials. Council members said extra time should be allotted to solicit applications because of summer.
“If people are on vacation, it might be a good idea to give them a little extra time,” council member Chris Grady said.
Plans call for selecting an appointee at the council’s meeting Tuesday, Sept. 15.
