How a Special Election for Ankeny City Council Can Still Happen
Some Ankeny Patch readers are up in arms about the decision made by the City Council to fill Craig Block's vacated seat by appointment. Despite the decision, though, residents could still call for a special election.
Following the announcement that the Ankeny City Council plans to fill a vacant seat by appointment, some residents took to the Ankeny Patch comment boards to make it loud and clear that is not what they want.
"At no point is it okay for the city council to appoint people to elected seats. Spend the $12,000. After all if giving the City Manager nearly half a million dollars they can afford fair and legal elections." - Nick Berry
The Ankeny City Council voted unanimously during its regular meeting Monday night to appoint a replacement to fill the council seat vacated by Craig Block. The council is recommending the spot be filled by Denny Rafdal, who served 13 years on the city's Plan and Zoning Commission.
According to a press release issued by the city of Ankeny, the council made the decision to avoid the costs associated with holding a special election.
Do you support the appointment or would you prefer a special election? Tell us in the comments.
But many of our commenters still want to see a special election.
"What is up with bringing back old blood? Ankeny needs new people in office. I want to know how we the people can demand a special election. No more of this garbage." - Jim Zupan
According to information found on the city of Ankeny's website, residents can still petition the council for a special election should the council decide to appoint someone to fill the vacated seat.
To hold a special election, petitions must be filed with the city clerk within 14 days after the appointment is made. The council is set to consider Rafdal's appointment at its May 21 meeting.
Petitions must contain at least 1,000 signatures or 15 percent of the number of people who voted in Ankeny's last election, whichever is fewer. According to the city's website, 2,098 people voted in the last election. This means 315 residents' signatures are needed to hold a special election.
Petition forms can be found attached to this article or at the city clerk's office.
According to the city's website, if a special election is needed, it likely will be held Aug. 14. If a primary is necessary, it must be held on the Tuesday 28 days prior to the special election date, which is July 17.
To see complete details outlining the special election process, visit the city's website.
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Ankeny City Hall
410 W 1st St, Ankeny, IA -
Ankeny City Clerk
410 W 1st St, Ankeny, IA
Joe Dygas
8:01 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
There are petitions circulating throughout Ankeny to demonstrate to the City Council that the Residents of Ankeny would like to have a special election to fill Mr. Blocks vacant seat. The cost of a special election is pretty small compared to the $40 million to be spent on various projects and the TIF giveaways to other commercial developers.
Deb Belt
3:16 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Joe: If Ankeny voters want to sign the petitions, how can they find the people who have them? Where will they be out and about this weekend? Thanks
Mollie
3:27 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I will be at the Simon Hatlewick Benefit and Silent Auction at the Ridge church on 37th and Ash Saturday from 1-3. I have petitions for anyone who attends and would like to sign.
Deb Belt
3:44 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Mollie: Thanks for sharing that with Patch readers.
Joe Dygas
4:17 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
For those interested in signing the special election petition, I have copies available.
Contact me at 515-650-7236 for further information.
Deb Belt
5:00 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Thank you for sharing your contact info with readers, Joe.
Barbara Johnston
6:27 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
I'm not necessarily a fan of "The Des Moines Register" but I have to say, their article about the special council meeting was more thorough than what is presented on this website and CERTAINLY paints the "Other" councilmen in a more fair light than this article or these comments do.
The way all of you are making this sound is that the "2 old guys" want to avoid a special election when in fact, for those of you who did NOT attend the meeting, that is not at all what is being said. It is very unfortunate how public servants are raked over the coals by people who may not even attend the meetings but profess to be the expert on all things political.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120509/COMM/305090088/Longtime-Ankeny-barber-to-fill-seat?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Ankeny&community=Ankeny
Hopefully Megan won't mind the reference to DSM Reg considering they share stories from time to time...
Megan VerHelst
6:44 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
Barbara, I addressed your comment on this thread: http://ankeny.patch.com/articles/want-to-sign-a-petition-to-hold-a-special-election-for-craig-block-s-council-seat#comments.