Newly appointed Cottonwood City Councilman Jim Chapman won’t have far to go to attend City Council meetings before or after work.
On Tuesday, March 5, the City Council selected Chapman, a cook at Murphy’s Grill, to fill the council vacancy created when Councilman Ron Hollis resigned for business and personal reasons in early December.
City Council Chambers are a short walk down north Main Street from Murphy’s Grill, in Old Town Cottonwood.
“I’ve always been interested in government and politics but it’s my first time doing something like this. I thought long and hard about it before throwing my hat into the ring but I wanted to do something for the community,” said Chapman, a single father of two young children. “It’s important to get involved and I want my children to know that.”
Chapman grew up in Tucson and is an eight-year resident of Cottonwood.
The council selected him over three other applicants including former Mayor Ruben Jauregui, Mingus Union High School Assistant Principal Kathleen Alexander-Young and Kent Hellman.
Candidate John Ask removed his name from consideration before the council meeting on Feb. 26.
“Coming straight from the public means I’ll bring a fresh set of eyes and I think I have good judgment,” said Chapman, who had been attending council meetings as an observer until he was appointed.
“I thought they were all good,” City Manager Doug Bartosh said. “I think it’s important to have a cross-section of the community and different perspectives on the council. The council liked his answers more but it was pretty close.”
The council questioned the candidates and heard candidate presentations on Feb. 26.
Bartosh said the primary function of council members is to develop policy for the city, represent Cottonwood’s residents and represent the city at various functions.
Although council members receive a small stipend for their service, Bartosh said council members take the job more to serve the community than for any financial gain.
Once he’s sworn in, Chapman said he wants to see the recreation center completed and would like to see sidewalks constructed in every neighborhood in the city.
“I look forward to working with you,” Mayor Diane Joens said to the seventh and newest council member. “I know you’ll keep us on our toes.”
Chapman was sworn in on Tuesday, March 11, and will take his seat on the council on Tuesday, March 18.
He will serve until the next municipal election in 2009. Voters will then select a candidate to fill the remainder of Hollis’ term, which expires in May 2011.
Todd Etshman can be reached at 634-8551 or e-mail to tetshman@larsonnewspapers.com
