JC political leaders push for open commission appointment

Clarification: Washington County Democratic Party chair Sylvain Bruni's comments in this article were edited to more accurately reflect his positions on the City of Johnson City's recent actions. Bruni said he worked to convince the city not to bring bitcoin mines to the area and gave examples where he did not think the city showed openness to public input, including the investigation of Sean Williams and changing of the city's alcohol ordinance.The chairs of the Washington County Democratic and Republican parties called for transparency in the appointment of a new City Commissioner after John Hunter resigned as mayor and commissioner.Sylvain Bruni, chair of the Washington County Democratic Party, hopes the process is transparent and open with the public."As neighbors and residents, we deserve a process that reflects fairness, integrity, and trust," he said in a press release "The appointment should not be rushed or predetermined behind closed doors. Commissioners must give the public an opportunity to weigh in, and prospective candidates should be invited to step forward openly."Bruni told the Johnson City Press on Tuesday afternoon that he thought the city had been improving on some things lately.He appreciated the city listening to public input on not bringing bitcoin mines to the area, saying that community members had a "productive dialogue" with the commissioners and the city which led to none of them coming to the area right now, along with more studies on the impact of the mines."They should make sure that is a model for all interactions with the community," Bruni said. "[A commissioner vacancy] really calls for it."In other instances, such as the Sean Williams case, the ordinance changing last call times for alcohol sales and the introduction of Flock cameras around the city, Bruni felt the city had either not been transparent or not listened to its constituents.Republican Party Chair Danielle Goodrich hoped the new City Commissioner would live up to several ideals of her party."I hope they will stand for minimal taxes, limited government, fiscal conservatism and put the interest of the people before special interests," she said.She added that she hoped the process would be inclusive of the wishes of the public, and "not 'this is who the commission wants and that's it.'"She remembered how Washington County had solicited letters, emails and other public comment to appoint a replacement for late Commissioner Suzy Williams, who died last year, and hoped Johnson City would do something similar.Lastly, she praised Hunter for his decision to step down, instead of inviting a drawn-out process where the city government had to pursue his removal through legal means."John chose correctly by resigning, and I wish him the best," she said.The City of Johnson City charter, available on the city's website, goes through the process for when a member of the board resigns.It states that, in the event of a resignation, death, removal or other such circumstance, the city commission "shall have the power to provide an incumbent for said office until the next regular city election coming thereafter, at which time the qualified voters of the City of Johnson City shall fill said office for the unexpired term or for a new term, as the case may be."At the first meeting of a new City Commission board after a general election, the board selects a mayor pro tempore who will act in the absence of a mayor's absence, death or failure to act.That member will act as the mayor in any such absence, "and whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor such member shall become mayor and hold office as such for the unexpired term."Currently, the Vice Mayor is Greg Cox.The board plans to talk about the vacancy at the City Commission workshop meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday. The regularly scheduled board meeting will be held at 6 p.m.