Hancock City Council to hold Special Meeting Sept. 12; at-large Councilor vacancy to be write-in

HANCOCK -- The Hancock City Council will hold a Special Council Meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the Hancock City Hall for the following purposes:

1. Consider applications received by the City Clerk to fill a vacancy on the City Council due to the resignation of at-large Councilor Jim Hainault, who moved out of the City to Chassell.

According to the City Charter, Section 4.5:  "... a vacancy shall be deemed to exist in any elective office on the day when the officer dies, files his resignation with the City Clerk-Treasurer, is removed from office, moves from the City…."*

Since no petitions were filed to fill the vacancy left by James Hainault, this Office of one Councilor (at large) for a two-year term expiring in 2014 will have to be a write-in.

The last day for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent form for the November general election is 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. Any resident of Hancock interested in running for this vacant at-large seat can file this form.

According to City Clerk Karen Haischer, this requirement reflects a change in the law. Write-in votes count only if the candidate has submitted a declaration of intent form.

The following residents have filed nominating petitions (non-partisan) for the office of one Ward Councilor from Ward I, II, and III each for a four year term. These petitions have been certified by the City Clerk and these names will be on the ballot for re-election:
Ward 1 - Precinct 1: William D. Laitila (vote for one)
Ward 2 - Precinct 2: Jeremie R. Moore (vote for one)
Ward 3 - Precinct 3: John Slivon (vote for one)

2. Consider making a Council appoint to fill the open at-large Council seat. The appointment would be good until the November Election (the appointee would sit on the Council for the September and October 2012 regular meetings); therefore, if the person appointed wanted to remain on the Council they would have file a declaration of intent form by Oct. 26 to run as a write-in for a two-year term ending in 2014.**

In order to be considered for this temporary appointment by the Council, a person would need to submit an application of interest for the at-large seat to City Clerk Karen Haischer by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. 

3. Consider Resolution #8-2012 MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) Project Authorization Resolution for support of the Hancock Transit.

Editor's Notes: 
* Click here to read the Hancock City Charter.

** Click here to read about the Hancock City Council.