Today is the last day for residents in Garnett to express interest in filling an empty seat on the City Commission. As of Tuesday, there were five people that had submitted applications. They are: Jason Sheahan; former Commissioner and and Mayor, Michael Norman; Mark Locke; Mark Powls; and Paula Scott. Mayor Jody Cole and Commissioner Greg Gwin will presumably make the appointment in coming weeks, after reviewing the applicants. The appointee will finish out the term of Cody Gettler, who took office last January but passed away November 22. State Law requires Commissioners to make an appointment within 60 days of a vacancy occurring. Although Gettler passed away over a month ago, City Attorney Terry Solander said the delay came when Commissioners opted not to start the process until after Gettler’s funeral.
If Commissioners can’t agree on a suitable appointee, according to State Statute, it directs the City Attorney as the designee to make the selection from among the applicants.
