Well you certainly cannot blame Antioch’s outgoing Mayor James Davis for trying to stay on the City Council as he is urging supporters to contact the current city council and councilwoman elect Monica Wilson requesting they vote to appoint Davis to the vacant council seat.
Here is what Davis put out last night:
Hello to all my “Friends of Antioch”. Tuesday nights City Council meeting will be my last meeting as Mayor and last as a member of the City Council, having not won my bid for election to the Council. It has been a great 14 years of public service.
The new council will appoint a person to finish the two remaining years of Mayor Elect Harper’s term as he becomes our Mayor. Having received the 3rd highest votes, I am asking for that appointment.
On my behalf i am asking emails be sent to council to appoint the 3rd place winner to this open position. Thank you for your support.
Please send e-mails to:
Mayor Elect Harper – [email protected] or [email protected]
Mary Rocha – [email protected] or [email protected]
Gary Agopian – [email protected] or [email protected]
Monica Wilson – [email protected]Please copy me at [email protected]
Thank You!
According to the Agenda, the Council will be presented with three options after the Oath of Office Ceremony where the council will decide what to do with the vacant seat. The options include
- Straight Appointment — likely James Davis since he took third in the election
- Application Process — residents will be allowed to apply and a decision will be made by Feb. 2, 2013.
- Special Election — highly unlikely as their is an estimated cost of $267,000.
While Davis clearly wants the seat and is campaigning for it publicly, what is not clear is if anyone else wants the job. While some may not like his approach, I can see why he is doing it as back in 2008, Arne Simonsen came in third place and the council opted for Martha Parsons instead who didn’t even run for the seat.
Antioch would appear to have options if the Council decides against an appointment and goes the route of an application process followed by an appointment. While I am not encouraging a decision one way or another of an appointment or application process, there is a short-list of candidates who may want to apply if given the opportunity.
Keep in mind, I am just throwing these names out and this is an unofficial list.
- James Davis
- Walter Ruehlig
- Noel Pinto
- Vincent Manuel
- Diane Gibson-Gray
- Argentina Luevano
- Debra Vinson
- Arne Simonsen
While I will give Mayor Davis credit for being smart in encouraging folks to contact the council on his behalf, it may not be the fairest way to pick a candidate so quickly. Of course, if Davis is the first choice, then simply appoint him instead of a dog and pony show and waste everyone’s time.
If I am an Antioch resident interested in the position, you have been warned as you now have little time to mount a campaign of your own to combat Davis.
If your interested, you had better let your interest be known immediately.
By Michael Burkholder
0 comment
It is my understanding the choice is Vincent Manuel. He is on the Planning Cimmission and has been for years. He is a poor choice and has made poor choices on the Planning Commission. While I don’t support Mr Davis he is the correct choice having the third highest vote This playing favorites, friends or who Mr Seeno told you to pick is wrong. Mr Davis is the correct person..
Since there was just a recent election, the next in line should be selected. The voters have spoken and it would be ridiculous for the new sitting council to usurp the will of the voters.
Then again we are talking about Antioch politics where the one rule is there are no rules. Vincent Manuel, really? If that is their direction they are looking the wrong way. Like it or not Jim Davis is the right choice.
If you reread my statement, I too am for Jim Davis the third highest vote getter.
Sorry I got a different impression. Thanks!
I have to say, now the day is almost over, it is getting pretty ugly and emails are flying.