By: Jennifer Madrigal
Kelly Howell Resigns
Eastvale – With the November 30 resignation of Eastvale City Council Member, Kelly Howell, the City must now make the difficult decision of how to fill her seat. According to the City’s existing ordinance, “If a vacancy occurs in a City Council seat, the City Council may, within thirty days from the commencement of the vacancy, fill the vacancy by appointment or call for a special election.” The cost of a special election could be up to $70,000, and with the next election season less than a year away it would seem that the best solution is for the council members to appoint someone to fill her spot until then.
The process of deciding who will fill her seat is one that requires thorough discussion and will ultimately be a tough decision. However, Mayor Bootsma feels that the logical decision will be to appoint someone to fill her spot. “Most likely we will have candidates send in resumes and hold interviews in January, with a decision being made by mid-January,” said Bootsma. The council member position and what action will be taken to fill her seat will be discussed in more detail at the December 11 City Council Meeting, held at Rosa Parks Elementary at 6:30 p.m.
Kelly Howell has served the City of Eastvale since 2010, and was part of the City’s first Council as well as the Incorporation Committee. She made the difficult decision to resign in order to spend more time with her two children. She is currently a Special Education teacher and in a Master’s Program, as well as serving as Assistant Director of the Eastvale Community Foundation. Howell has been an integral part of the thriving growth of Eastvale; she will be missed.
