By Tammy Moore Teague
The Mansfield city council was tasked to appoint an interim mayor at Thursday nights meeting but fell short.
The appointment, which is required by law, would fulfill the seat and remaining term recently vacated by Dr Larry Austin. Austin, who resigned effective April 5, would have held the office until January 1, 2019.
Only two parties showed interest in holding the office. Mansfield resident Ricky Newman and councilman Rick McDaniel both spoke to the council about their readiness to serve. After a brief executive session, the council reconvened with a single motion by councilman Dave Johnson to elect McDaniel as interim mayor. The motion fell flat, however, without a second.
Georganna Mabry spoke up saying she felt because they were elected by the citizens to serve in this capacity (as alderman) that they should not be serving as mayor. “It’s not personal,” added council man Buddy Black.
Against the advice of city attorney, Matt Ketcham, the council voted to table the matter, postponing it for another week. City recorder/treasurer, Becky Walker has been filling in since Austin left office. She added “We have a strong council and I believe that they will persevere thru this trial, just as they have over the past several months. I believe that the right person for this position will step forward and we as a city will get back on track.”
Also slated for next Thursday’s meeting, the ordinance to revert back to monthly meetings on every third Thursday night.
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