West Fork leaders pledge unity

West Fork's city leaders pledge to work together following a recent divisive City Council meeting that saw the contested appointment of an interim mayor.

Alderman Don Rollins was appointed mayor at the Aug. 9 council meeting. He replaces Charles Rossetti, who suddenly resigned July 19.

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At a special meeting July 22, Rollins wasn't one of the three aldermen -- Misty Caudle, Mike Nelson and John Collins -- who volunteered to be Rossetti's replacement. When Rollins offered to be interim mayor and said he wouldn't run for mayor in November's special election, Caudle and Nelson objected. Caudle questioned Rollins' claim he only wanted to be interim mayor to prevent council division.

"That was really the reason why I proposed the deal that I did, was to keep that from happening in the first place," Rollins said. "I didn't succeed, but I think I helped a little bit. I think we would've been at a standstill and a deadlock and we would still be sitting there trying to decide on a mayor."

Rollins pledged he wouldn't run for mayor in November and said his being interim mayor prevents any of the other aldermen who plan to run for mayor from having any advantage over their competition.

Misty Caudle, Heath Caudle, Nelson and Steve Winkler filed to run for mayor by Friday's noon deadline.

Ultimately, Nelson voted to appoint Rollins. Caudle, who serves as the council's president pro tem, said during the council meeting it was "stupid" to appoint an interim mayor who doesn't want to be mayor. Alderman Joe Toher supported Rollins' plan and said it had merit.

Caudle and Toher now agree the council can work together amicably to lead the city and address its needs.

"I think there are good people in West Fork," Toher said. "I've got faith that with what's coming up that everyone will put their interests aside and knuckle down and do what's right for the city. I'm hoping that they realize the focus in nominating Mr. Rollins was to have an interim mayor."

Though Caudle contested Rollins becoming interim mayor, she said Wednesday he's a nice man who does a "great job" for the council. She also said the council will not be divided.

"I think from now on it's just going to be all business," Caudle said. "I am focused on business. We have a lot of issues in front of us that we're dealing with."

A sewer connection between West Fork and Fayetteville is one of West Fork's ongoing projects, and with the city's sales tax recently being passed, city leaders have capital improvement projects to begin work on, said Kristie Drymon, the city's finance director.

City leaders also will have to work together to hire a replacement for James Scanlon, the public works director who resigned Aug. 10.

"We're going to have a meeting with the Water and Sewer Committee, and we'll discuss what qualifications (are needed) and put out an advertisement for a new public works director," Rollins said. "Hopefully, we'll get some good resumes and interviews. We don't want to rush, but we can't wait forever."

The council will continue to work together, Rollins said.

"Our council has been really good about working with each other, and I think we still will be," he said.

NW News on 08/20/2016

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