Appointment leaves vacancy on council
East Carbon native and longtime city council member David Avery was sworn in as the city’s new mayor during a meeting of the council Tuesday evening.
Avery was chosen from a field of eight applicants for the job.
Avery was appointed mayor pro tem by former Mayor Doug Parsons. He has been acting in that capacity since Mayor-elect Harry Goslin resigned after being sworn in Jan. 2.
Goslin outpolled incumbent Mayor Parsons in the November General Election. After taking the oath of office, however, Goslin announced he would not be able to fulfill the duties of the office due to personal reasons. The city then advertised to fill the vacancy and interviewed applicants during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Each applicant spoke of their background and level of civic engagement, and identified issues facing the city important to them.
Avery noted he has a degree in engineering and spent most of his career in coal mining. He said he was a founding member of planning and zoning and has taken a big part in the city’s Community Daze celebration. He has also worked with the Boy Scouts.
The new mayor said the city has a lot going for it, including clean water, a good sewer system, good streets, some of the best parks around, a walking trail that’s the envy of a lot of cities, a fully-trained four-man police department, and good maintenance people.
But he said there are a number of challenges on the horizon for the mayor and council, mostly having to do with revenue. He said the most important thing for East Carbon is survival.
“When it comes to survival, a drop in revenue is one of the biggest things that could hurt us,” he said.
Avery acknowledged a “wish list” for the city, including a 9-hole golf course, a swimming pool and a recreation center. But he said what the city really needs is the East Carbon Medical Clinic, street maintenance, control of water in Grassy Trail Creek and the reservoir, a new water contract with Sunnyside Co-gen, equipment for the fire department, and more lighting, among other needs.
He said a number of grants are in the works but cautioned, “Grants aren’t free – grants aren’t what they sound like.”
He said there are usually loans attached to grants that need to be paid back and the city has to plan accordingly.
“That’s why revenue is so important. We can’t stand to lose a drop, and we have to figure out how to get more if we possibly can.”
Avery also issued a challenge to East Carbon citizens.
“If people want a voice in what we’re doing, they need to be here. Don’t sit out there and complain and squawk about what we’re doing. You need to be here. We’re willing to listen.”
Newly-elected council member Donald McCarty made the motion to appoint Avery. It was approved by majority roll call vote.
Avery abstained, even though he was entitled to vote for himself, just as any candidate for office is allowed to vote for themselves in a regular election. He was then sworn in as the new mayor by City Recorder Liz Holt.
The selection of Avery as mayor now leaves a vacancy on the city council, which will be filled through the same process. The city is advertising the position and will select a new council member on Feb. 6 to join Barbara Robinette, Chuck Abeyta, Donald McCarty and Larry Wood on the East Carbon City Council.