Oct 26 – District 1 Board of Supervisors Interviews

The Board of Supervisors held interviews for the vacant District 1 Supervisor position on Tuesday, October 26th.

This position will be on the ballot in June. I believe several of the candidates are planning to run. If you are in District 1, I strongly recommend you watch the entire interview process to help you make a decision. You will learn a lot about the candidates.

The following applicants were invited to be interviewed:

• Robert Burroughs
• Daniel King
• William Moule
• Justin Donaldson (chose not to interview)
• Terry Knight
• Dale Morgan
• Jason Browne

You can read thier candidates statements here: Agenda Packet

The interview & selection process was awkward but certainly entertaining.  
There is no formal process for how a supervisor gets appointed in situations like this.  The only rule is that the supervisors must appoint a person within 90 days of the vacancy, if not, the governor appoints one.  
None of us – or the supervisors – wanted that.  

Ultimately our board agreed to run the position as a PT hire (which is ridiculous) and accept applications. They also allowed the administration (their staff) to select questions to ask during the interview process.  The board was not allowed to ask their own questions.  

They allowed public comment before the interview – which again, seems ridiculous.  How can we comment if we haven’t heard their responses?  
Overall, the questions were mostly from a staff perspective (something you’d ask an employee), not a public perspective and not from the supervisors perspective.  

The Q&A happened – the supervisors took a “poll” – each writing down their 1st choice:

• Bob Williams & Dennis Garton – Daniel King
• Candy Carlson – Bill Moule
• John Leach – Jason Browne

The vote requires a majority – so 3 votes to pass.

After some debate, which was largely focused on a statement from Mr. King that he had cleared 1 day a week for the job (Candy expressed her concern for that), Supervisor Garton moved to open public comment again.  

It really is a FT job, and there were at least 4 other very good candidates.  
Seeing they were at a stalemate, they sought direction from counsel, who stated that once they make a motion, they must make a decision or the selection moves to Newsom.  She also stated they were allowed to make 3 motions.  

So Dennis motioned to appoint Dr. King.  Bob 2nd.  

• Candy motioned to appoint Moule, no 2nd (so it doesn’t count).
• John motioned to appoint Jason Brown, 2nd by Candy.      
• One more motion would force a vote for all 3 items.  There would not have been consensus and it would go to Newsom.

After what was a visibly difficult decision, Bob Williams spoke and said King was his #1 choice and he didn’t want to select his #2, but that his #2 would be Moule – so he suggested Candy motion again.  

She did – Bob 2nd – chairman Garton directed staff to call the role (in reverse order of the motions) – she called Role to appoint Moule, Dennis, Candy & Bob all voted yes – John voted no.  Moule is now District 1 Supervisor.  

You can listen to the recorded audio on the county website of watch the whole 4 hour meeting on Liz Merrys Facebook – links below.  

Audio: County Recording
Video:
Part 1 – 1st few hours

Part 2 – Ending