Christine Kirkwood appointed Riverside councilor

Christine Kirkwood was appointed to fill Betty Kaalberg?s seat on the Riverside City Council. The council voted to appoint Kirkwood a councilor at its meeting Monday. Kirkwood will serve for a minimum of four meetings beginning June 20 and lasting through Aug. 1.

Five people applied for the vacant position on the council. They were Joette Armbruster, Betty Halleran, Larry Simon, Samuel Torrey and Kirkwood.

The council was not required to appoint anyone at Monday?s meeting. However, state law requires that if the council were to appoint someone to fill a council vacancy, it must do so within 40 days of the vacancy. Kaalberg died on May 4. If the council opts for a special election to fill the vacancy, it must hold the election in 90 days. The last day for Riverside to hold a special election is Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Residents of Riverside circulated a petition for a special election and obtained at least 50 signatures to it. City Attorney Les Lamping informed the council that the completed petition requires the council to hold a special election. The council voted to hold the special election on Aug. 2.

For those residents who wish to run in the election, the last day to file nomination papers is July 8. The papers must be turned in by noon that day at the Riverside City Hall. Whoever wins the Aug. 2 special election will serve through the end of the year. The person who wins the election in November will assume the position in January.

Councilor Rodney Waldschmidt remarked, ?I find it hard to believe that in a town this size, everyone?s circle of friends and acquaintances varies so much. Anyone I?ve talked to had a two-word comment on a special election: ?That?s stupid.? I could understand a special election if we were a year or a year and a half out (from an election). But with a general election coming in November, why spend the money??

Washington County Auditor Bill Fredrick said in an interview Thursday that, assuming Riverside uses paper ballots, the special election should cost no more than $2,000.

Councilor Kevin Kiene said he?d like to see a five-member council as soon as possible. He nominated Kirkwood for the position. Councilor Ralph Schnoebelen objected on the grounds that Kirkwood is already a city employee. Kirkwood writes the city?s newsletter. Kirkwood said she would resign from her job with the city before serving on the council.

The council voted unanimously to post a $500 reward for information regarding the vandalism to Mount Olivet Cemetery in mid-May. The information must lead to an arrest and conviction in order for the award to be released.

Washington County Sheriff?s Deputy Randy Tinnes said that a reward might help because it will get people talking. He said investigator Chad Ellis is working on the case and has interviewed several juveniles but has found no suspects.

Kiene said he remembered an incident in 1986 in which several car tires were slashed in town. At that time, the council offered a reward of $300 for information about the incident. Schnoebelen said the vandalism to the cemetery is even more serious than that incident.

Simon addressed the council and presented it with a petition for a state audit. Simon said an audit was called for because the city has a new employee in Missy Carter, the utilities billing clerk. Carter was hired in January.

?We have hired a new employee here not too long ago,? said Simon. ?Anytime I?ve ever been around, there is always some sort of audit done so that they?re starting on square one when they come in. It?s for this young lady?s protection and to keep everybody honest.?

Later in the meeting, the council was asked to vote on an agreement with certified public accountant Ann M. Menke to perform an audit of the city?s finances over the past four years. In a letter to the council, Menke estimated that her fee would be between $7,500 and $9,500. The council voted 3-1 to approve the agreement with Menke. Kiene, Waldschmidt and Todd Yahnke voted in favor and Schnoebelen voted against.