(Spencer)– Meeting in special session at Noon today (Fri.), the Spencer City Council voted 5-1 to appoint Duane Bates to the ward 4 seat that was left vacant after Donavon Wunschel, who held the seat previously, was elected Mayor.
Loren Reit, an at-large member of the council, spoke in favor of appointing Bates, who was among four people that expressed interest in the position…
“He was always behind, unsolicited, behind us on North Y expansion, hospital expansion, the addition of the General Dollar properties. He would always reach out just as a citizen and say, what can I do to help you guys get this through because this is good stuff for the city, for the community. He has a real passion for it, and he’s been through some ups and downs, too, so.”
The lone no vote was cast by councilman David Lyons, who expressed some concern over the process, saying the council should have an opportunity to publicly talk about all four candidates first, before voting on a specific one…
“Not because I don’t think Duane can do the job, and if we were to vote again I could easily vote yes. I just think that with the motion on the table initially and seconded with one candidate before we actually have the opportunity to make a discussion, it takes out of the equation the other candidates.”
The five affirmative votes fulfilled a requirement for at least four council members to vote in favor.
