“It feels very deadlocked and I just want to acknowledge that.”
Commissioner Kelsey Purdue said after 3 votes and not enough support for any of the finalists to fill a vacancy on the city commission:
“We all need some time to sit with this to have conversations and not continue to waste our time.”
3 commissioners supported Kurt Reppart, a former commissioner who was defeated when he ran for reelection. Commissioner Melinda Yassi said he knows the job.
“Kurt Reppart understands all of the issues we have in front of us.”
3 commissioners, including Marshall Kilgore, supported finalist Dan Cope, a Grand Valley State University professor who teaches democracy and civic engagement.
“Who better to navigate a flawed system than someone who teaches on democracy.”
Lindsay Perez-Plescher did not even get a vote. Mayor David LaGrand said he can’t support her appointment because she is the only finalist running for the position in the August primary,
“I’m very reluctant to do anything which would have an influence on the voter outcome.”
There is a vacancy because commissioner Drew Robbins resigned with 8 months remaining in his term to run for the state legislature. In the August primary and, if necessary, the November election, voters will choose his replacement even if the commission does not.
“All in favor of adjourning? Aye. Okay, thank you.”
