Annette Beard
GARFIELD -- Garfield City Council members are being asked to appoint a replacement for one of their own at the regular July meeting but apparently there is not a consensus on how many applicants there are.
Mayor Gary Blackburn said only one application for the position was received by the deadline of June 10. The application was from Mark S. Rowe, Meadow Road, Garfield.
The seat was vacated by the resignation of alderman Malania Carter, who said, upon resigning, that she couldn't work with the opposition from the current administration.
According to the Arkansas Municipal League, it is the responsibility of the City Council to set the deadline and establish the application process.
Blackburn said he did not remember if the council had established the deadline or if he had and offered to mail the minutes of the council meeting to the press.
"I'd have to review the minutes before I could comment," Blackburn said.
Alderman Katherine Shook, who walked out of the June council meeting prior to it being adjourned, said another applicant has stepped forward. She said Brandi Bryant had asked for an application at City Hall, but was told the deadline had passed.
She emailed the mayor asking for an application.
Tuesday, the mayor said there is only one applicant and that the city had appropriately advertised the opening in five places.
Community on 07/06/2016