Juneau Mayor Considering Two For Council Vacancy

 

7/26/17 – It appears that the Juneau mayor will appoint someone to fill a vacancy on the common council. When Ward Three Alderman Daniel Schamberger abruptly announced his resignation at the end of this month’s council meeting, Mayor Dan Wegener told us that he was not sure if the seat would be filled. Wegener noted that the term ends in April of next year and suggested that he may stick with the five-person council for the remaining months. He brought the matter to the city’s Personnel Committee last night to get their input. Wegener says he was first contacted by former alderman Clarence “Butch” Chase and then contacted by former Mayor Ron Bosak. Wegener says he is leaning heavily toward one candidate over the other but did not elaborate. Committee Chair Kay Marose said Bosak is someone who only wants to help Juneau but she suggested that the city attorney may have to offer a legal opinion. The concern with Bosak’s appointment is that the former mayor may not have completed open meetings law training that was mandated by the District Attorney in March of 2014, one month before Wegener defeated Bosak in the mayoral election. At the time, the entire council was ordered to take the training because a meeting to restructure the city’s EMS department violated the open meetings law. Bosak tells us that he does not understand the concern with the training and would have to check his files to see if he did attend. Three of those alderpersons are still on the council. Wegener asked if elected officials would have any reservation about working with either of the two candidates. Alderwoman Cheryl Braun said she would work with whoever is chosen and make it work.