Stayton has decided to wait until after the Nov. 5 election to resolve its mayoral situation.
Councilor President Steve Sims is serving as acting mayor. He took over for Brian Quigley, who resigned Sept. 24 after experiencing life-threatening health issues.
Sims’ council seat is on the Nov. 5 ballot, along with that of retiring Councilor Ben McDonald. Sims has filed for re-election to the council, with Gary Frank, Luke Bauer and Ken Carey also seeking the two four-year terms on the ballot.
The new mayor will be selected by the new City Council after the election results are certified, said city manager Julia Hadjuk.
“The current council will discuss it in November and make a determination how to proceed,” Hadjuk told Our Town.
“The new councilors will not be sworn in until January, so it is possible that the existing council will appoint the mayor, depending on the timing.
“If they appoint from the existing Council, the timing would allow (them to act immediately), but if they choose to get applications from non-councilors, this would take time to solicit, review and decide.”
Hajuk added that if Council President Sims is re-elected the new council “has the authority to appoint him mayor based on the criteria and the pool of candidates they select.”
If Sims is re-elected to the council and subsequently appointed by the council to replace Quigley permanently, Hajuk said, “his seat would be vacated and the council would then need to appoint someone to fulfill his term.”
