By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
There will not be a primary election in Mona.
That is due to the fact that there are not more than
two candidates who have registered for any of the available
seats. In addition, two seats will be un-contested unless a
candidate registers to run as a write-in.
Write-in candidates need to declare their candidacy by
filling out a write-in declaration of candidacy form with
the city clerk and recorder, Lyla Spencer, 14 days before
the election.
"The soon the better for campaign purposes," said
Spencer.
Bryce Lynn, current mayor, has registered his
candidacy for mayor, a four-year term, and is running
un-contested for the position.
Harry S. Newell will also be un-contested in his bid
for council member for a four-year term. He currently holds
that seat on the council.
RaDawna Thalman has registered and declared her
candidacy for council member the two-year position. That
seat is currently held by Gordon Anderson, who was appointed
to fill the unexpired term of Rick Kolsen, who moved from
the community.
Anderson has also declared his candidacy for council
member for the seat he currently holds, the two-year
position.
Citizens will vote for one person for the two year
term of office.
The city still has an opening for another four-year
council term. That seat is held by Quinton Kay, who did not
register to run for the position.
If he chooses to run for election to retain his seat,
he must first register to run as a write-in candidate and
must register with the city recorder.
Citizens for the city of Mona cannot write-in on the
ballot any person's name and have it count toward the
election of any individual.
"We are now a city and not a town," said Spencer.
If there is no registered write-in candidate for the
election the council is responsible, not the mayor, for
appointing a council member to take the seat until the next
election.
Candidate interviews by the Council and final action
on the appointment must be done in an open public meeting,
although the evaluation of a candidate's qualifications may
be done in an Executive Session.
The Council would solicit applications for a specified
period, and at a subsequent regular Council meeting, conduct
candidate interviews (15 minutes each) in the order that
applications were received and provide for the possibility
of an Executive Session for the evaluation of candidate
qualifications.
The appointment of the new council member would occur
at the subsequent regular council meeting, which would allow
the Council to receive public input prior to making the
appointment.
The statute provides that when a resignation occurs,
the person appointed shall serve until a qualified person is
elected at the next election at which a member of the
council normally would be elected .
The ultimate vote on the replacement is by a simple
majority of the remaining members of the Council.
Any person appointed would have to meet the
qualifications to be a council member, i.e., be a registered
voter in and have resided in the city for one year prior to
appointment.
The first nominee on the list to gain a majority vote
of the remaining members of the Council is appointed.
The Council can go into executive session to discuss
the qualifications of any candidate for appointment to fill
the position, but any interview of such candidate and the
final action appointing any candidate must be done in open
session. There can be no "straw vote" taken during any
executive session.
As always, email exchanges/discussion on the
appointment can constitute a meeting if they involve a
majority of the council.
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