Klaeger and Rhodes inducted to Marble Falls Council, Haddock also to join

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Marble Falls City Council members voted 4-2 to appoint William “Dee” Haddock to the Place 4 seat left vacant after the May 6 general election.

Haddock, who has served on the city's Planning & Zoning Commission since 2011, was one of three people who threw their hats into the ring for the position recently held by Rachel Austin-Cook, who did not seek re-election to her Place 4 seat.

Michele Boshears and Jim Coursey also submitted their applications for consideration prior to the May 8 deadline set by the council. No candidates had filed to run for Place 4 in the May 2017 general election, which had been canceled due to lack of opposed candidates. According to Section 3.06 of the City Charter, the City Council must appoint a qualified candidate when there is a vacancy.

Whoever is appointed will serve until the May 2018 general election, when a special election will be held to fill the unexpired term of Place 4 in addition to the general election for Places 1, 3 and 5.

During Tuesday's meeting, Mayor John Packer noted how unusual it was for a city council to be appointing a new council member immediately after an election.

“This is an unusual situation to be in and I appreciate all three of you stepping up to do this and offering your time for the community,” Packer said. “Whoever is selected, all three of you are equal in my mind.”

Each candidate got up and gave a quick summary of his or her experience for the council. Haddock, who is an administrator with Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, noted his experience with the P&Z as well as his experience in the private sector and in the military.

“I am retired after 26 plus years in the Air Force and I have worked in the private sector and I am confident I can serve the citizens well,” he said. “I see the role of this position as setting policy along with the other members and with that policy, we can give guidance and allow for the successful operation of the city. I think I have something to offer based on my experience with the P&Z.”

Boshears, who is employed as a legal assistant at the Law Office of Natalie Fowler, said she put herself up for consideration because volunteering “is what I do.”

“I am very active with my kids' schools, with the police departments and at my job in the law firm,” she said. “I have volunteered in every community I have lived in since I was 15 and it has a purpose for me. There is something about making sure you are vested in your community and that you have leaders who you can depend on. I am a people person and I care about Marble Falls and my family and I will be here for a very long time.”

Coursey, who pastors the Mosaic Church, noted his service in the community is “not in places that you see since I am most active in the private lives of people.

“I work with veterans and the schools and I have given my life to serve,” he said. “Everything in my life has been a matter of service in some way. I am the type of person who does better in the crunch; I don't know what 'nice and easy' is. God has equipped me well to work with others and has allowed me to understand compromise and I can bring those strengths here.”

Richard Westerman, who minutes before was elected mayor pro tem by his peers, told the council he was “uncomfortable doing this when an election is a better process” for selecting a new council member.

“I wish someone had run,” he said. “I hate to speak up, but in my personal view, due to his experience with the P&Z, I would move to nominate Dee Haddock.”

Haddock was then approved by a 4-2 vote, with Megan Klaeger and Craig Magerkurth voting against the motion.

Prior to the discussion, the oaths of office were administered to Place 2 Council member Megan Klaeger and Place 6 Council member Dave Rhodes and they were seated on the dais. Packer also renewed his oath of office.

Plaques were presented to outgoing council members Jane Marie Hurst, Rachel Austin-Cook and Ryan Nash.

City Volunteers Sought

The City Secretary’s Office is accepting applications for Place 7 of the Planning & Zoning Commission and one position on the Hotel Motel Tax Advisory Committee. 

Applicants must reside in the City limits of Marble Falls.  P&Z applicants must also own real property in the City of Marble Falls

Applications are available on the City website at www.marblefallstx.gov or by contacting the City Secretary’s office at cmcdonald@marblefallstx.gov or 830-798-7060.

Applications will be received until June 30.