The Baldwin City Council may soon be at full capacity. The council is expected to appoint Erik Keith to fill the unexpired term of former councilmember Larry Lewallen. Lewallen resigned at the end of last month’s city council meeting with three months left in his term. He was not seeking reelection.
Keith was the only candidate who qualified to run for the Post 1 seat. He was due to be sworn into office in January.
During the council’s work session this week, acting mayor Alice Venter thanked the candidates in November’s election for stepping up for public service. She called public service “humbling.” Her husband and fellow councilmember Maarten Venter added, “There just are not a lot of people that are interested in running for local politics.” He, too, thanked the candidates for stepping up.
Questions about the pending appointment
The decision to appoint Keith to the job early raised some questions.
While discussing his possible appointment, the acting mayor said she has known Keith for 27 years. He is a fellow real estate agent. A reporter asked Venter if Keith is her business partner. She responded, “No, he is not.”
Baldwin councilmember and mayoral candidate Stephanie Almagno asked Venter to explain why Keith was chosen to succeed Lewallen and not any of the other candidates. Venter said it’s because Keith qualified for the post. If one of the other candidates had qualified for Lewallen’s seat, Venter said the discussion would be about appointing one of them.
Baldwin’s Chief Administrative Officer, Emily Woodmaster, explained that the city charter allows for such appointments.
“If someone vacates their seat and we’re within 90 days of an election, you (the council) can appoint anyone,” she told the council.
“Are you okay with doing that?” Alice Venter asked Keith. He nodded in agreement.
The city council will vote on the appointment at its next meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10. The council moved the meeting to Tuesday because of the federal Columbus Day holiday. The meeting be held in the public safety training room behind the Baldwin municipal courtroom at 155 Willingham Avenue.
