Should council members resign to run for mayor?

Should council members resign to run for mayor?

Marion resident, former councilman brings idea up at council meeting

news@theeveningtimes.com

Sitting city councilmembers thinking about running for mayor in Marion may have to make a hard choice — keep their seat or resign in order to run for mayor.

A citizen brought up the issue during public comment period, claiming it was unfair for the mayor to have to face off against a current member of the council and then still be able to remain in office in the event they are defeated.

In fairness to the mayor, every time he runs, all of you can take a shot at him and have no regrets because you get to go right back to work,” said former Marion city councilman Gary Rash. “I think that is unfair.”

There is no state law requiring current elected officials to vacate their office in order to run for another elected position.

Rash said the Attorney General’s office and the Arkansas Municipal League told him the city could make that a requirement, but would have to pass an ordinance.

“I thought it was a state law that when one of you run against the mayor you had to relinquish your seat in order to run,” Rash said.

“But is has to be by ordinance. You would have to rectify that with an ordinance. I wish you would consider the ordinance. I feel that is right.”

In the last election Councilman Kelly O’Neal ran against Mayor Frank Fogleman.

Fogleman made light of the suggestion because anything he said would obviously be biased.

“I think it would be the greatest thing,” Fogleman joked. “But I think I would be the only one.”

“I think it’s worth you giving me a hundred dollars for bringing it up,” Rash added, which drew laughter from the chamber.

Councilman Jim Spence said it might be something the council should consider at a later date.

“We might want to talk about it,” Spence said.

In other business, the council agreed to let Woolfolk Library use city owned property located behind the library for Arkansas Game and Fish mobile aquarium event coming up in July.

Librarian Debbe Davenport said the library will be hosting the aquarium on July 21 for its summer reading program, and since it will be hot in July, need a cool spot to park the aquarium.

“They asked that it be in the shade,” Davenport said. “If you park by the gymnasium, you’re right in the sun.”

Davenport asked if they could park the aquarium in the driveway or possibly on the lawn.

The city bought the lot, which has a vacant house on it, to use for the future Sultana Disaster Museum.

“I just want to use the premises because it is a shaded location,” Davenport

said.

The event will be held in two sessions — 10 a.m. for younger children and 11 a.m. for older children.

Fogleman said he had no problem letting the library use the lot.

“If you want to use the driveway or the premises, go ahead,” Fogleman said.

Street Department Director Gordon Floyd told Davenport he would make sure the grounds are in good shape.

“We will make sure it is good and cleaned up for you,” Floyd said.

By Mark Randall