Brandon resident calls for councilman’s resignation

By: 
Jill Meier, Journal Editor

Brandon resident Matt Henning called for alderman Tim Wakefield's resignation at the Feb. 19 city council meeting. Wakefield has stated he has no intent to resign, and has filed his petition to be Brandon's next mayor.

Jamie Hult/BV Journal

A Brandon resident called for the resignation of Ward 3 Alderman Tim Wakefield during time reserved for public comment at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Matt Henning charges that Wakefield, who ran unopposed in 2018 for Ward 3 four-year council position, has violated areas of the council’s code of conduct. Henning cited Ordinance 1-3-12, more specifically sections 2 and 5b. Section 2 says city councilpersons should, “Perform the duties of the office diligently by respecting the legitimacy of the goals and interests of other city council members and respecting the rights of others to pursue goals and policies different from their own.”

And Section 5b states: “Acting in a manner to not make personal attacks of others including other Elected Officials, Appointed Officers, City employees, and the public.”

“I’m really fed up with Mr. Wakefield’s comments on his posts, and I specifically bring to light his post about Joe Weir. I don’t know the man; I don’t know who Wade is. I’ve never met him. But I feel that that post is a violation of code of conduct, and I think it’s time something is done,” Henning said. “Tonight, I’m going to ask for your resignation or I’m going to circulate a petition to have you removed.”

Weir was officially hired as Brandon’s next chief of police Tuesday night. Else, a 28-year veteran of the Brandon Police Department, who received a recent promotion from sergeant to lieutenant, was the other finalist for the position.

Resident Ted Miller also addressed the council, sharing that he, too, was disappointed by comments Wakefield made regarding Weir, suggesting those comments should have only been shared in “executive session.”

“To me, he attacked Mr. Weir’s credibility without getting the actual facts,” Miller said. “Quite honestly, there are some good things that you do. But I certainly think what I’ve seen after the fact doesn’t represent someone I want on city council.”

In a Brandon Valley Journal request for a response to Henning’s position, Wakefield said he was “caught off-guard” by the call for his resignation, since he has made himself readily available to hearing the public’s concerns at the local coffee shop over the past few weeks.

“I have no intent on offering my resignation for my current council position,” Wakefield said. “My role has been and will continue to be representing the voice of residents of Ward 3.”

According to city attorney Lisa Marso, to submit a petition to recall a city council member, Henning must gather signatures from 15 percent of registered voters. The petition must then be approved by City Hall, and the language of the petition must be appropriate to be accepted. If the petition is accepted, the councilman recall would go to a special election.

For more from Tuesday’s Brandon City Council meeting, check out the Feb. 27 issue of your local news source, the Brandon Valley Journal.

Category:

The Brandon Valley Journal

 

The Brandon Valley Journal
1404 E. Cedar St.
Brandon, SD 57005
(605) 582-9999

Email Us

Facebook Twitter

Please Login for Premium Content