Former City Commissioner Terry Riordan to apply for vacant spot on commission; no applications on file yet
Former Lawrence City Commissioner Terry Riordan has confirmed he plans to apply for the seat left open by Jeremy Farmer’s sudden resignation from the commission.
Thus far, Riordan is the first person to publicly announce an interest in the vacant seat. The deadline for applying to the city is 5 p.m. Wednesday. City Attorney Toni Wheeler said that the city hasn’t yet received any applications for the position. Riordan said he plans to submit his official paperwork early next week.
Riordan, a longtime Lawrence physician, served two years on the City Commission, but lost his bid for re-election in April. Riordan finished fourth in the voting, with the top three vote-winners receiving seats on the commission. Riordan said the fact that he was next in line for the voting should serve as an indication that he has significant support from the community.
“Over 4,000 people did vote for me,” Riordan said. “It is not like I just got a few votes. I think it is logical to go to the next person.”
Riordan said his experience on the commission also should be a factor for the City Commission to consider in the appointment process.
“I’ve had people from all walks of life encourage me to do it,” Riordan said. “I think the city needs someone who has been vetted, someone who has experience. I think there are some things that I can do that will help the city. There are some really big decisions before us.”
A 12-member advisory board that will help vet applicants will hold its first meeting tonight. It will discuss the process ahead and receive a briefing on the Kansas Open Meetings Act, which the board will be required to abide by.
Ultimately, the four remaining city commissioners will have the final say on the appointment. Commissioners will fill the vacant spot by a simple majority vote. The appointee will serve the remainder of Farmer’s term, which lasts until January 2018.
Farmer stepped down from the City Commission after it was revealed that he failed to pay about $60,000 in federal and state payroll taxes for his his former employer, Just Food.
City commissioners have said they intend to appoint a new commissioner at their Oct. 6 meeting.