Volunteers for council asked to step
Appointee would serve until May
BY PHIL REYNOLDS SOUTH JETTY REPORTER

Wanted: Person to devote hours to studying and solving city problems and shaping Port Aransas for the future. Infrequent travel to unglamorous places. Time will be taken from regular job. Work overtime at least one day a month. Position is temporary, until May 17. Salary: $0.

That's not quite the same wording as this week's ad in the South Jetty seeking applicants for the city council seat left vacant by the death earlier this month of Councilman Jerry Watson, but the sentiment is the same.

Because Watson's death came more than four months before the election, the council must appoint a replacement to serve until that election. According to the city charter, "All vacancies on the council shall be filled within 30 days of the occurrence by a majority vote of the remaining members of the council … ."

Even so, there was debate during the council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, whether to appoint anyone at all.

Councilman Mike Hall said, "I feel very strongly that council should be elected, (voters) can make that choice.

"I'd rather see the seat stay vacant until the May election so the people can decide who's going to sit in that seat," he said.

Councilman Keith McMullin, despite quoting South Jetty Editor Mary Judson's column last week urging appointment of someone who would not run in the election but who had city council experience, voted with Hall against appointing someone.

But Councilman Bubba Jensen said, "I think we need all these chairs filled. During the election, the people will make the choice."

"The citizens have elected us to make decisions," he added, "and this is one of the decisions we need to make.

Council member Beverly Charles urged that the council choose "someone with the spirit of Jerry - concern about the (Charlie's Pasture Nature) Preserve, concern about the everyday person.

"We should appoint someone who carries Jerry's spirit," she said.

Councilman Rick Pratt, along with Charles and Jensen and Mayor Claude Brown, voted to advertise for someone to serve.

Still undecided is whether the council will decide to choose a person who doesn't intend to run for city council in the May 17 election.

Jensen asked City Attorney Mike Morris if the council could even accept applications, go into executive closed session and decide not to fill the position.

"Sure," Morris said. "You could come back to open session and decide not to appoint. Just because you receive applications doesn't mean you have to appoint."

The city's ad calls for applications to fill the unexpired term. Candidates, it said, must be a qualified voter in the City of Port Aransas and a resident of the city for the last 12 months.

(Those are the qualifications for a city council member listed in the city charter. The charter adds that after becoming a council member, the person must not be in arrears with tax payments, can't be a city employee and must live in Port Aransas during his term on the council.)

Deadline to apply is noon on Monday, Feb. 5.

Applications are available at city hall, 710 W. Avenue A.