No mayor until new year

“It is time to move forward in a positive manner. The Town of Saratoga has had too much conflict.”

During the December 15 meeting of the Saratoga Town Council, the governing body was addressed by former Carbon County Commissioner and Saratoga resident Lindy Glode as she voiced her support to appoint Councilmember D’Ron Campbell to the mayoral vacancy.

As was reported previously (see “Choice or lack of options?” on page 5 of the December 9 Saratoga Sun), two motions to make an appointment to the vacancy failed due to a lack of a second.

A motion to appoint Campbell by Councilmember Jon Nelson failed and a motion to appoint Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Keel by Councilmember Judy Welton failed.

“The turmoil the Town was and is going through with its finances and divided council was not an easy job to take on, and try to help solve the problems that Saratoga was and is facing. It was very impressive when you all agreed to listen to the newly elected councilman, James and Spaulding, and get their opinions on who they would want to be appointed to the mayoral position,” said Glode. “The councilmen-elect voiced their preference for Councilwoman D’Ron Campbell and why. The writing is on the wall for all of the reasons that Councilwoman Campbell would be the best fit moving forward.”

Campbell’s accomplishments listed by Glode included; her service in the United States Air Force and time as an aircraft commander, her two engineering degrees, her role in assembling a 100 person volunteer corps during the 2010 and 2011 spring floods, and her service on the Saratoga Recreation Commission and the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce board.

“Saratoga is faced with unusual circumstances after Councilman (Steve) Wilcoxson’s death and the previous mayor’s resignation,” Glode said. “Councilwoman Campbell is a proven leader.”

As she ended her address to the council, Glode appealed to both Welton and Keel to appoint Campbell to the mayoral vacancy.

“By doing this, by knowing your successors want Councilwoman Campbell appointed mayor, you would be giving them a head start to a more successful outcome for the Town of Saratoga,” said Glode.

Nelson brought up the mayor vacancy for discussion, again, under council comments. Citing the recommendations from James and Spaulding, and the comments from Glode, the council member asked if either Welton or Keel had changed their mind on the issue.

“I still feel more comfortable in making it an elected official be our next mayor,” said Keel. “That is one of the two council members-elect or Mr. Nelson. That’s something that likely will happen in future meetings.”

Welton echoed Keel’s comments.

“Although I really respect your opinion, Lindy, I have to stand by my conviction like you did when you were on the commission,” said Welton. “I just feel like the citizens need to have elected the person that’s going to be mayor and head of our whole town.”

It should be noted that, while Wyoming State Statute 15-1107(d) states that an appointment to mayor must be made from the governing body, it does not specify whether the members of that governing body should be elected or appointed. It has been expressed in previous meetings, however, that an appointed council member being appointed to the mayoral vacancy could disenfranchise voters.

Glode replied to Welton, stating that while she respected her opinion she felt that the Town of Saratoga was in a unique and unusual situation due to the passing of Wilcoxson and the resignation of former mayor John Zeiger.

“We are under unusual circumstances with having someone die and then someone quit,” Globe said. “So, you don’t have many choices. You have two and there’s a deadlock.”

As discussion continued, Nelson asked James and Spaulding if they had anything to add in regards to the appointment.

“I think we gave our input and it wasn’t needed, so I guess we’ll just wait ‘til next year,” said James.

“I look at where we’re at and I just don’t understand why (you) can’t make a decision on something and I think that’s a testament of what this has been for the last two years,” said Spaulding. “It’s sad to say and it’s sad to watch.”

Keel appeared to take exception to the idea that the unfilled mayoral vacancy was a matter of indecision.

“I feel that is a little uncorrect (sic),” Keel said. “Me, specifically, my decision has been made and, in essence, I choose either Mr. Nelson, Mr. James or Mr. Spaulding to be the next mayor.”

Welton added that she had not come to her decision lightly and that she had several people approach her outside the council meeting stating that they believed the mayoral vacancy should be filled by someone who was elected to the governing body.

“I have no doubt D’Ron could get elected if she chose to run in the future,” said Welton. “Also, it’s going to be the responsibility of the new council to choose who they’re going to work with as mayor and then get another person in the council seat.”

While she did not engage in the majority of the discussion, Campbell thanked Glode, James and Spaulding for their support and their recommendation of her to serve as mayor. She then recommended that, following an appointment to the mayoral vacancy in the new year, the council reach out to town council candidates Danny Burau or Tasha Worthington.

The next meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be at 7 p.m. on January 5, 2021 at Saratoga Town Hall.