Former Haines Mayor Stephanie Scott will likely fill the vacant assembly seat, left by Mike Case after he resigned last month, if the Haines Borough Assembly follows through with a recommendation made last week.
The assembly will make an official appointment at their Tuesday meeting but voted 4-1 Thursday to recommend Scott, citing her experience as a municipal staff member and elected official.
Scott, who served as an assembly member during Haines Borough consolidation and worked as a municipal clerk, cited her knowledge of borough code and charter during her interview. Six other applicants made presentations to the assembly.
Scott said she didn’t plan on running for the seat in October, but wants to help the assembly get a better grip on processes of local government.
Assembly member Ron Jackson asked Scott what observations she had on the current assembly’s handling of process.
Scott said the assembly often spends too much time in discussion before motions are made.
“What really has to happen is you have to make a motion, see if it’s seconded, it might not be, and then do your discussion so your meetings are more focused on your business rather than developing some kind of idea,” Scott said. “That development of an idea belongs not at an assembly meeting but at a committee meeting and there are different rules that govern behavior in that meeting. That’s one of the issues I would encourage people to do.”
Assembly member Tom Morphet voted against Scott’s appointment because he didn’t like the idea of “hiring a fix-it man that fills a gap we need.”
“We’re here to try to represent as best we can the population and to bring differing views to the table,” Morphet said. “I guess the line of reasoning that we’re here to find the person that’s going to fit in best for the assembly, I think, is misguided. We’re here in the stead of the public, who doesn’t get a chance to vote.”
Assembly member Tresham Gregg disagreed and said it was important to find someone that will help a “somewhat new assembly.”
“Mike Case, in fact, was the longest running member of the assembly,” Gregg said. “His perspective was always very well-informed and so I think that’s a big consideration in what we’re doing here.”
Assembly member Heather Lende agreed. She also said because Scott wasn’t running for election in October, it would give the other potential candidates a level playing field.
Morphet endorsed Don Turner Jr., the leader of a recall effort aimed at ousting him, Lende and Gregg.
“This is probably one of the most dysfunctional assemblies I’ve ever seen since I’ve been here,” Turner said when asked what he didn’t like about the current government. “I don’t think you guys pay attention to the public that much.”
Morphet said he feared a “tyranny of the majority” and that appointing Turner would make the assembly appear more welcoming.
“I don’t believe Mr. Turner represents the majority view in our community but I think Mr. Turner represents a view that is a constituency in our community and he’s been to a lot of meetings…and he knows on a certain level where people line up and I think this recall has taught him quite a bit about where the community lines up,” Morphet said.
Assembly member Margaret Friedenauer said she was supportive of Scott but was also drawn to applicant James Hart.
Hart said he represents a younger voice in the community and could help create a better partnership between the borough and the Chilkoot Indian Association, where he serves on the tribal assembly.
Hart said he likes to listen and process ideas before voicing an opinion and wants to collaborate with as many people as he can.
Friedenauer said she thought he could bring unity to the group, as well as increased representation from the community.
“That being said I totally respect the idea of having Stephanie up here for her expertise and experience,” Friedenauer said. “I’ve leaned on her immensely since I’ve been up here and elected. I can support either choice.”
The final decision to choose Scott drew support from the other six assembly applicants, including Turner, most of whom plan to run in October for two open seats.
Sean Maidy, Paul Nelson, Judy Erekson and Andrew Gray submitted letters of interest for the open seat.
Haynes Tormey said he didn’t hear any discussion from the assembly regarding filling the vacant seat based off of Case’s political platform.
“I think that’s important, to represent a sector of the community and their opinions through the style of representation of the person sitting in the seat,” Tormey said.
Tormey supported Gray for the vacant seat.