Committee appointments spark heated debate

In its May 24 meeting, City Council deadlocked 4-4 on an amendment to a resolution pertaining to the establishment of standing council committees to provide that the Public Involvement Committee shall consist of the four zone council members and the mayor.

Members of the Public Involvement Committee are chosen by Mayor Lee Gannaway and are responsible for recommending appointees to other public boards.

The Public Involvement Committee now comprises General Councilman Bob Chancellor, who chairs the committee, General Councilwoman Teri Hacker, General Councilman Tom Carlson and Zone 1 Councilman Bob Vanaman.

Chancellor, reading from a prepared statement, spoke vehemently against the resolution, calling it "dangerous" and questioning whether council is "working toward the common good" by raising the vote.

A heated debate over the proposed resolution was sparked by Councilwoman Shelia Wright's concerns about north Springfield residents being fairly represented on the various public boards