Nov. 13, 2007
Mayor Won't Be There For Veto Override Attempt
Council Expected to Challenge Mayor's Authority
By Tony Seaton
Huntington News Network
The city charter stipulates it, and City Attorney Scott McClure confirmed it at Friday's city council work session. No matter how many members of council are present for Tuesday's council meeting, in order for Mayor David Felinton's veto of the ordinance proposing a new city charter to be overridden, eight members of council must vote to override. Regardless of how it goes, the mayor won't be there.
Director of Administration and Finance Brandi Jones will fill in as acting mayor.
Mayor Felinton said he is scheduled to be at the CreateWV Conference and the conflict can't be avoided. "That will be of great importance to the city. It is one that I had committed to well before I knew that someone talked Mr Ritter into putting the city manager issue on the agenda," Felinton said, referring to the ordinance's sponsor, Councilman Jim Ritter's admitted preference for that form of government, even though his ordinance does not give the voters that choice initially.
He said his absence should not affect the outcome either way. "I do believe that all the arguments have already been made by both sides. Although my missing the meeting is coincidental, I feel that it should not be about personalities anyway," the mayor said.
The mayor said "Regardless of how they vote I understand that they will sue me to challenge my veto authority"
tektonivideo@gmail.com
Council Expected to Challenge Mayor's Authority
By Tony Seaton
Huntington News Network
The city charter stipulates it, and City Attorney Scott McClure confirmed it at Friday's city council work session. No matter how many members of council are present for Tuesday's council meeting, in order for Mayor David Felinton's veto of the ordinance proposing a new city charter to be overridden, eight members of council must vote to override. Regardless of how it goes, the mayor won't be there.
Director of Administration and Finance Brandi Jones will fill in as acting mayor.
Mayor Felinton said he is scheduled to be at the CreateWV Conference and the conflict can't be avoided. "That will be of great importance to the city. It is one that I had committed to well before I knew that someone talked Mr Ritter into putting the city manager issue on the agenda," Felinton said, referring to the ordinance's sponsor, Councilman Jim Ritter's admitted preference for that form of government, even though his ordinance does not give the voters that choice initially.
He said his absence should not affect the outcome either way. "I do believe that all the arguments have already been made by both sides. Although my missing the meeting is coincidental, I feel that it should not be about personalities anyway," the mayor said.
The mayor said "Regardless of how they vote I understand that they will sue me to challenge my veto authority"
tektonivideo@gmail.com
