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Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
October 27, 2009
You may have heard that Alderman Allen Medford resigned from the O’Fallon City Council. Alderman Medford was a terrific alderman and will be sorely missed. His service on the O’Fallon City Council has brought well deserved (here and
here).
With Alderman Medford’s resignation, we have received some questions about what happens from here. As in previous appointments, Mayor Graham is responsible for making the appointment, although there is no process he is required to follow. A news release was posted last week requesting applications for anyone interested in the position. Mayor Graham will consider the applications, and then present a candidate for the advice and consent of the City Council.
Once someone is appointed to the City Council, he/she will serve until the next general election. In April 2011, there will be two elections for Ward 4: a special election to fill the Alderman Medford’s vacancy for a two-year term and a general election for the standard four-year term. The special election and the general election are separate elections and candidates will have to designate which position they are running for. Anyone can run for either position, but one cannot run for both at the same time. Whoever chooses to run for either election will be chosen for that election by majority vote.
This will be Mayor Graham’s fourth appointment over the past four years, which is unusual. Phil Gardner was appointed in 2006 following Tom Bequette’s resignation, Dan Polites was appointed in 2007 following Becky Henry’s sudden passing and David Cozad was appointed in 2009 following John West’s appointment to the St. Clair County Board.
In our seven years of working together, I have admired Alderman Medford's work ethic and intellectual rigor. O'Fallon is a better place because of his public service.
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