Special election to replace Stein
By Trina Kleist, trinak@theunion.com
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12:01 a.m. PT Mar 27, 2008
In November, Nevada City voters will choose a candidate to replace former Councilwoman Sheila Stein, who resigned suddenly last week.
City taxpayers will pay about $13,500 for the privilege, or $7 per registered voter, prompting City Councilman Steve Cottrell to become the lone dissenter in the 4-1 vote at the City Council meeting late Tuesday.
Meanwhile, City Attorney Jim Anderson will draft an ordinance that allows council members to appoint an interim councilperson. The ordinance will be ready for a first reading at the next meeting April 9 and go into effect upon second reading at the April 23 meeting, Anderson said.
The appointed person, who Mayor Sally Harris said would not be from among the four people running for three open seats in the June election, would serve until the person elected in November takes office and fills out Stein's term. Stein was elected in 2006 and left with two years and three months to go.
The appointed person would be eligible to run for Stein's seat in the November race.
"A special election benefits the voters," said city resident Kim Milligan during the public hearing on the issue. In a competitive campaign, "the candidates get to know what's important for the voters."
Businessman and Nevada City Downtown Association President Jim McConnaughay and former Mayor Conley Weaver were among those speaking in favor of an elected replacement.
Resident Roger Savage urged council members to appoint the replacement from among the four candidates after a series of public debates on the issue.
Cottrell also favored appointing a permanent replacement, noting his review of Nevada City minute books revealed similar vacancies historically have been filled by appointment or regular election.
"This city has never spent the taxpayers' money for a special election" since 1851, Cottrell said.
The discussion prompted an angry outburst from council candidate Gene Downing, a former council member.
All the discussion, he said, "is because you don't want me on the City Council," Downing shouted into the microphone. "This is all back-door crap you're trying to do."
As others in the audience applauded, Harris banged the gavel and reminded people they are not allowed to applaud or otherwise show support for any speaker or position.
"We need honest government ... not this," Downing shouted as he returned to his seat. "I'll express any opinion I want in a free country."
To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.
