By Dempsey Vick, NRAEMT, Stevensville
Although I was not appointed as Councilmember for Ward 2, I do want to apologize for the despicable actions that were taken by the Town of Stevensville Councilmembers. I am not stating these actions were despicable because I was not chosen to be appointed, but because the true agenda of the Council was exposed. With Jim Crews, a man that I have no quarrel with, reneging his application for consideration, followed by the council’s decision to not appoint an applicant, proved to the entire town that they had made their decision before interviews had occurred.
According to the Town of Stevensville Code §2-118 (a):
When any vacancy occurs in any elective office, this position shall be considered open and subject to nomination and election at the next general municipal election in the same manner as the election of any other person holding the same office, except the term of office shall be limited to the unexpired term of the person who originally created the vacancy. Pending such election and qualification, the council shall, by a majority vote of the members, appoint a person within 30 days of the vacancy to hold the office until his successor is elected and qualified.
The council’s decision to violate their own ordinance causes great harm to the citizens of Ward 2 because, for a time period that the Townspeople were already gracious enough to allow to continue longer than legally allowed, is now extended for an unknown amount of time.
I plead to the Townspeople of Ward 2 to hold the council accountable for their actions. I am writing this letter, not as the unappointed, but as a citizen of said ward. It is unfortunate that we must live in the location that should have pride in being “Where Montana Began” and known as a place where settlers from the east met and broke bread with the native peoples of the area, to what is now the laughing stock of the entire State of Montana because our elected officials cannot agree on what brand of water is allowed to be consumed at meetings.
It is pertinent that this issue to be presented to the County Commission, and to the House of Representatives of the Great State of Montana; and to continue to perform your duties as American citizens: complain to the council, write to your local newspaper, and to fight for freedom and democracy.
I will, however, suggest a course of action that the council can reasonably take: make a search committee for the vacancy, made up of citizens of Ward 2. Allow them to interview and decide on two candidates for office, then the council interview the applicants. This is a reasonable course to take that could eliminate bias from the council.
Thank you all for your support! However, for the time being, I will not be seeking appointment to the council; unless I am requested to appear under the old business portion of the meeting. I will, however, continue to serve MY neighbors in Stevensville as a firefighter, EMS provider, and as a veteran of the United States Navy, the Finest Navy in the World.