Given the news of a recent resignation by a city councilor, there is one glaring item that members of the Biddeford Charter Review Commission should consider sending to the city’s voters for approval.
As it stands now, the mayor has the authority to nominate anyone to fill a vacated city council seat, regardless of when the vacancy occurs.
Although special elections can be costly, the curent charter gives too much power to the mayor, setting the stage for stacking the deck. Unless there is less than six months remaining in a term, the council should be required to call for a special election.
Unfortunately, Councilor David Flood’s sudden resignation puts Mayor Alan Casavant in an awkward position.
The mayor now has to nominate someone from Ward Seven to fill that seat. That nomination must then be confirmed by the city council. Thus, if the mayor chooses someone who is perceived to be on his side he runs the risk of a protracted debate and council objection.
On the other hand, if the mayor chooses someone who would not support his position, then the mayor’s influence with the council will be further weakened.
Thus, Casavant is screwed no matter which way he goes in the next 30 days.
Casavant ought to consider at least one of two approaches to solving this potential conflict.
Choice One: Nominate the individual who got the second most votes in the Ward Seven race in November, Bill Sexton. Under this method, Casavant would be signaling that he is at least attemting to follow the best intentions of the voters.
Choice Two: Ask the Council President and other councilors to offer suggested names for a replacement candidate. This method would go a long way toward ensuring a smooth confirmation and allow the mayor to bypass controversy and potential attacks of “cronyism.”
The next meeting of the Biddeford Charter Review Commission will be held on Feb. 23. More than likely, only a handful of people will attend. That’s fine, but don’t complain about the process unless you’re willing to change it.
LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 