Shockley Says Goodbye; No Decision Yet on How to Replace Her

The Burlington City Council kicked off yesterday’s(Mon) meeting by saying goodbye to Councilwoman Becky Shockley, whose resignation became effective at the September 8th work session.

Mayor Shane McCampbell said it was hard to believe that Shockley…who has taken a new job that will require a lot of travel…served on the council for less than a year.  The other Council members also wished Shockley well, but not everyone in the audience was as kind. Local pastor Dave Selmon of Burlington’s City Church said he didn’t appreciate some of Shockley’s comments in her resignation letter a week ago.

Replacing Shockley became a little more complicated last(Mon) night. Mayor McCampbell had to leave the meeting due to a family emergency and that left just three members to decide whether to appoint someone to fill the seat until the next city election or to schedule a special election late this year. Mayor Pro Tem Becky Anderson and Councilman Tim Scott both want the voters to decide and several people have reportedly already expressed an interest in the job…but Councilman Bob Fleming would like to appoint a temporary successor and save the cost of a special election. City Manager Jim Ferneau pointed out that the decision…either way…would require three votes, so the Council decided to hold off until the October 6th meeting, when McCampbell will be back.