June 30 was the deadline for those interested in being appointed to the Superward 7 council seat to make their wishes known. A total of 16 people stepped forward – including Daun Hester, who is vacating the seat as required by the City Charter. (I’ll post the full list once I receive it. List below) Council should put aside its hard feelings and do what is best for the city by appointing Hester to her old seat. Such an appointment serves two related purposes.
First, it is ludicrous to bring in someone who will only serve for a few months. It is a waste of time and energy – unless the sole purpose of doing so is to have a “rubber stamp seat warmer.” Hester has the knowledge and experience.
Second, council needs someone who will not run in November. I’m sorry, Councilwoman Whibley, but council absolutely should not create, by appointment, an incumbent for this seat. The seat belongs to the people, not council, and the voters in Ward 7 deserve the opportunity to elect the person that they choose, not whomever council wants. UPDATE: I spoke with Councilwoman Whibley at today’s swearing in and she says she was misquoted.
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Del. Kenny Alexander has raised another issue related to a possible November special election. (I’m still not clear that the first issue has been resolved.) As mentioned in the article, Alexander is concerned that the November election will not garner Justice Department approval.
Ward 7 is a majority black ward drawn, under court order, to provide African Americans with a chance to elect candidates of their choice. November’s election has state constitutional amendments expected to appeal to conservatives and a competitive congressional race in the northern half of the city, which Alexander said will increase the turnout of white voters.
If Circuit Court sets the date for November 2, it is possible a legal challenge could void it, either before or after the vote is held.
UPDATE: Seventeen people expressed interest. One withdrew and two do not live in the in the ward. That brings the list down to the following 14 people:
- Brenda H. Andrews
- Kim Versprille Callahan
- Allan L. Carpenter
- Dorothy L. Evans
- Alveta V. Green
- Mike H. Harkins
- Daun S. Hester
- James A. Mikell
- Steven A. Mirman
- Daniel E. Montague
- Doris Pannell
- Harold Perkins
- Laschell L. Rose
- Jimme D. Wilson
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Oh, Please!