Wichita City Council delays vote on filling vacant council seat
The Wichita City Council has decided to wait another week before they fill the vacant council seat for southwest Wichita.
The council heard statements Tuesday from the four candidates who have filed for the post. One withdrew as a candidate, while two others stated they would only serve on a temporary basis.
Joshua Blick, who ran unsuccessfully for the District IV seat two years ago, said he was withdrawing as a candidate. He urged the council to appoint a temporary member to make sure southwest Wichita is represented. Former council members Paul Gray and Stan Reeser said they would only serve on an interim basis, and they would not run for District IV in the spring.
The council also heard from Goddard school board member Jeff Blubaugh, who said he wants to serve the southwest Wichita community. He listed transportation, safety and bringing new businesses to Wichita as the key issues.
Mayor Carl Brewer said with the statements made by Blick, Gray and Reeser, the dynamics have changed since the council interviewed the candidates on Monday. He recommended waiting a week to vote on an interim council member.
The council agreed to make the choice next week, and the chosen candidate will be sworn in at that time. The vote was 4-2, with council members Pete Meitzner and James Clendenin voting no becaue they wanted to make the decision at today's meeting.
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