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Council does business in record time, starts search for new Ward 1 rep

Havre City Council, known for its sparse agendas, outdid itself Monday night. There was but one item on the agenda.

The one item was formal declaration that there was a vacant council seat from the 1st Ward, where Bonnie Parenteau had announced she would step down.

Council authorized legal advertisements asking potential successors to submit applications.

The new council member could be interviewed and chosen as early as the Nov. 3 council meeting, Councilman Andrew Brekke said.

The new council member would serve through 2015 and would have to run in the November 2015 election.

Mayor Tim Solomon praised Parenteau for her service, she received a round of applause, and she prepared to serve cupcakes she has baked for her colleagues.

Their business accomplished, council members promptly adjourned the meeting.

The real winners of the short meeting were Havre High School students in John Ita’s civic classes. They have to attend a certain number of council meetings each year, and those who were at Monday’s meeting got off easy.

“I think you should get half-credit for this meeting,” said Councilman Jay Pyette. “I’m going to talk to Ita about this.”

The appointment of a new councilperson will be the first since voters switched to nonpartisan elections.

Democrats are looking for a candidates to replace Parenteau, who was elected as a Democrat.

Hill County Republican Chair Andrew Brekke said his party is looking for a candidate, but but is not limiting the search to Republicans.

The last time there was a vacancy, after Republican Rick Dow stepped down, there was a partisan divide. On a straight-line party vote, council elected Democrat Jay Pyette.

 

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