LAKE PARK —
In a packed council chamber Tuesday night, the resilient members of Lake Park’s City Council took their first steps toward filling the mayoral seat that was vacated last week when former Mayor Ben Futch resigned.
“Because it’s an even numbered year, the only two dates available for special election would be the date of the primary, July 31, or on Nov. 6, the date of the general election,” said Rob Plumb, city attorney for Lake Park.
July 31 would be too soon, according to Plumb, because the city needs 31 days to initiate a call for an election. Plumb said that the runoff date for the primaries, Aug. 18, would also qualify for a day the city could hold an election. But holding an election on a runoff day would mean that there would be no available day to settle a tie between mayoral candidates.
“I think you’re running into a really gray area if you go down that
road,” said Plumb, in reference to holding an election on a runoff day.
The council eventually settled on the date of the general election,
Nov. 6, to decide their mayoral race. The first qualifying call for
candidates will be July 23 through the 25, according to the council.
If a council member were to run for mayor, Plumb said that their seat
would be vacated and the city would need to conduct a second election
to fill the vacant seat. The council agreed that the second call, if
needed, would be issued during the first week of August. In either
scenario, ballots will have to be finalized by a mid-August deadline
to hold the election in November.
Before the council ironed out plans for the election, Councilwoman Sandy Sherill,
Mayor Pro Tem, reassured citizens that the city will
move forward. She also said that Lake Park has been receiving support
from communities all over the state and described the outpouring of
support as a golden opportunity to move past the city’s current
situation.
“The mayor of Valdosta has extended his help to me and the council,”
said Sherill. “Larry Hanson, city manager for Valdosta, and his whole
team have pledged their help. Sandersville, Athens, Winders, Statesboro
and Albany have all been on the phone asking: What can we do and how
can we help you?”
On July 3, Futch announced his
resignation in a letter that was read before the council in his absence,
stating that he no longer wanted to be a
divisive force in the City of Lake Park.
Local News
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In a packed council chamber Tuesday night, the resilient members of Lake Park’s City Council took their first steps toward filling the mayoral seat that was vacated last week when former Mayor Ben Futch resigned.
Discussion
Lake Park makes plans to fill mayoral seat
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