(Spirit Lake)– An attempt was made at Tuesday’s Spirit Lake City Council meeting to change the city’s representative on the “Opportunity is Calling Committee”–the group that’s looking into the feasibility of establishing a municipal telecommunications utility in several Dickinson county communities.
Former councilman Pat McNorton was appointed previously to represent Spirit Lake.
Councilman Jerry Harbst told the council he’s been contacted by several people who want someone else appointed to the committee.
Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Nielsen said he’s been contacted by committee representatives from two other cities that want McNorton to stay…saying his expertise on the panel is invaluable.
A motion to replace McNorton with Spirit Lake resident Susan Clark passed four-to-nothing, with councilman Jeff Thee abstaining. In casting his vote, Thee stated that someone shouldn’t be thrown off a committee just because a few people are upset.
The action to change the appointment though is moot. City Attorney Earl Maahs told the council terms of the 28E agreement that established the committee call for the members to be appointed by their respective Mayor. As a result, Maahs said Nielsen would have to make a new appointment that would then be voted on by the council.
That apparently isn’t going to happen, as Nielsen expressed his confidence in McNorton serving on the committee.
