Two new alderman appointed

DECATUR — Two new aldermen were appointed to open positions on Decatur’s City Council Monday night.

Council members voted to appoint David Sutton to Ward 2, Position 2 and David Walls to Ward 3, Position 1.

The Ward 2, Position 2 council seat was left open when Trip Lapham resigned in January. In the search for a community member to fill Lapham’s position, it was discovered that David Sutton had been elected to the wrong ward and actually lived in Lapham’s ward.

On Monday, Sutton was the only community member expressing interest in the Ward 2, Position 2 council seat and Mayor Charles Linam recommended the council appoint him to that position.

Three community members - David Walls, Donna Jennings and Reagina Davis - had expressed interest in the Ward 3, Position 1 council seat.

Davis did not attend Monday’s meeting, but Jennings and Walls both spoke briefly to the council about why they wanted to serve as aldermen.

Jennings, who ran in the November election for the position and lost to David Sutton, told the council she served as the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and was active inhelping with community events like the Decatur Barbecue. Jennings said she also held an interest in the town because her daughter attends Decatur Schools.

Walls told the council that he worked for the cityfor nine years as an animal control officer and oversaw the parks department. He said he has also served the community as an umpire and referee.

“I would like to give back to the city what the city gave to me. I think I could help,” he said.

Councilman James Jessen made a motion to choose Jennings, but the motion died without a second. Gina Holt made a motion to choose Walls for the position and her motion received a second from Sandy Duncan.

Holt, Duncan and Nan McClain voted for the motion to appoint Walls and Jessen voted against it. Since the three council members did not reach a quorum, Linam made the deciding vote for Walls.

The two newly-appointed council members will have to take minutes from Monday’s meeting to the Benton County Courthouse, where they will be sworn in, Linam said.