(Milford)– The Milford city council is deadlocked over who to appoint to fill a vacancy.
Councilman Detlef Ball resigned earlier this summer when he moved out of the community. Four people have expressed an interest in filling Ball’s term until the November general election. They are Keith Feller, Tom Cooper, Don Gude and Fern Sybersma. The city council met in special session Wednesday evening with the intent of making an appointment.
Saying Cooper had previous experience on the council and a school board member, councilman Mike Anderson made a motion to nominate Cooper for the vacancy. The motion was seconded by councilman Bud Kyle, but was defeated on a two-two tie vote. Council members Rick Kilts and Teresa Netsch voted no while Anderson and Kyle voted yes.
After further discussion, Kyle made a motion to nominate Keith Feller. That motion was also defeated on two-two tie vote with Kyle and Anderson voting yes and Netsch and Kilts no.
Netsch then sounded off, saying she was upset that only certain council members were getting calls about various issues and she was not, saying she feels “like the odd woman out”. Anderson retorted saying “don’t chastize us–we do the same job you do”.
Netsch then made a motion to nominate Don Gude. That motion was also defeated on a two-two tie vote with Netsch and Kilts voting yes and Kyle and Anderson no.
Thinking the process of elimination may be in order, Kyle made a motion to nominate Fern Sybersma. That motion was also defeated with all four council members voting no.
Expressing frustration over the deadlock, Kyle then made a motion to continue the meeting until 6:00 p.m. this (Thursday) evening. Anderson questioned if any of the council members would have a change of thinking during that time. However the vote to continue the meeting was four-to-nothing.
Under Iowa law, the council has until Friday to appoint someone to the vacancy.
