WEST FORK -- The appointment of an interim mayor has been postponed to give City Council members more time to decide who's right for the job.
A special meeting was held Friday at the City Administration Building to appoint an interim mayor in the wake of Charles Rossetti suddenly submitting his letter of resignation on Tuesday. However, the appointment was delayed after Alderman Don Rollins suggested postponing the appointment until the Aug. 9 council meeting.
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"I don't think we need to rush into anything," Rollins said. "We don't have to have a mayor right now, and there's no reason to appoint one right now."
Alderman Joe Toher seconded Rollins' motion and it passed 5-2. There are eight aldermen on the council, but because of Rossetti's resignation, Alderwoman Misty Caudle presided over the meeting as president pro tem.
There was concern voiced by council members whether the city could function without a mayor, especially in the event of urgent documents needing to be signed.
Kristie Drymon, finance director, assured the council Rossetti can continue signing such paperwork.
"He's is in agreement to do that, and the attorney says that's fine until we appoint somebody," Drymon said.
In a letter sent by City Attorney Tom Kieklak to Drymon, Kieklak explained Rossetti's status.
"Mayor Rossetti is still the 'hold over' mayor and will have status until his successor is 'elected and qualified,'" Kieklak stated in the letter. "In other words, if there are essential things that need to be signed, he can do that until the acting mayor is appointed and sworn."
Following the vote to postpone the appointment, the three alderman vying to be interim mayor -- Caudle, Mike Nelson and John Collins -- stated their qualifications and intentions for the job. Heath Caudle, who is also vying for the job, didn't attend the meeting. Heath Caudle is Misty Caudle's stepson.
White spoke first, lauding Rossetti's performance as mayor and calling for unity no matter who is appointed. He also said as a former police officer with 43 years of experience, he has experience working on budgets.
"We need to hold this council together," he said. "We need the cohesiveness that was laid before us before. I would certainly try to keep this council together and work on special projects."
Collins, who vigorously objected to postponing the appointment, said he planned to run for mayor when Rossetti finished his term.
"We're on the right path... and I'd like to see us all stay together and make decisions," Collins said.
Misty Caudle spoke of her eight years on the council, extensive volunteer work and dedication to West Fork.
"I have never missed a City Council meeting or a special meeting," Caudle said. "I feel I contribute to this town; I have dedicated my life to this town; everything I do is for this community."
Before the meeting, Jackie Bonner, who has lived in West Fork for 24 years, praised the interim mayor contenders.
"They're all really good people, so whoever they decide (on) will be fine," she said.
In his letter of resignation, Rossetti didn't give a reason for his resignation and said he wouldn't comment further.
Nelson told fellow aldermen and community members he spoke to Rossetti at a funeral.
"What he told me was he just felt it was time," Nelson said.
Whomever is appointed will fill the interim role until a mayor is elected during a Nov. 8 special election. The winner of the special election will hold the office for two years, the remainder of Rossetti's term.
Council members will vote and decide who the interim mayor will be. A candidate must receive five votes to become interim mayor, and each candidate on the council cannot vote for him or herself. Because she will be acting as president pro tem, Misty Caudle cannot vote unless a candidate receives four votes and she becomes the fifth and deciding vote, but if the four votes go to her, she cannot vote for herself, Nelson said after the meeting.
"We'd have to keep going until we get five votes," Nelson said. "Someone's going to have to change their mind in the interest of the city."
The vote needs to be unanimous, Misty Caudle said after the meeting.
"I think to show the most support... it would be nice for the council come to a unanimous decision," she said. "But we are all here for the right reasons. We all love the town."
Drymon feels confident that an interim mayor will be appointed at the next meeting.
"We have a great council," she said. "They'll work together and come to a conclusion."
NW News on 07/23/2016