by Nikki Blankenship
Portsmouth City Council’s 5th Ward seat will remain empty until next year. During Monday night’s regular meeting, Council members narrowed the search down to three possible candidates – Barbara Costas-Biggs, George Davis IV and Edwin Martell. There was a total of five applicants.
Near the end of the meeting, Council went into executive session for the purpose of interviewing the candidates, including the three finalists, Rob Black and Will Mault. After more than an hour and a half, Council returned to chambers with the intention of selecting an individual to fill the remaining two years left by former Councilman Gene Meadows.
When the floor was opened for nominations, 6th Ward Councilman Tom Lowe nominated Davis, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Charlotte Gordon nominated Costas-Biggs and 1st Ward Councilman Sean Dunne nominated Martell. With the absence of 4th Ward Councilman Jerrold Albrecht, Council was unable to achieve a majority vote. In the first round of voting, Davis received one vote from Lowe, Costas-Biggs had two votes from Gordon and Third Ward Councilman Kevin E. Johnson, and Martell had one vote from Dunne. In a second round of voting, Lowe sided with Dunne, voting for Martell, which still did not accomplish a majority vote. A selection would have required a vote of three.
Solicitor John Haas informed Council that they have 30 days from the time of a vacancy to choose a replacement. Meadows’ resignation was official as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16.
“If you don’t do it within 30 days, then the vacancy is filled by a committee consisting of the President of Council and the Auditor and the Solicitor,” Haas explained.
Haas added that this is a decision he would rather see Council make.
Though Council discussed various possible solutions, including reopening the application process, they decided to invite the three nominees back for a second round of interviews set for the first regular meeting of Council at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2020 on the second floor of the Municipal Building on Second Street in Portsmouth. Council is expected to make a decision at that time.
Comments