Sparks fly at Hayden City Council meeting

HAYDEN — Accusations of bias, character jabs and yet another procedural impasse peppered Tuesday night's Hayden City Council meeting.

Councilman Ed DePriest had an ax to grind about how the process has gone thus far.

"I'm aware of information that leads me to feel that the selection process is so tainted that I don't believe that every potential applicant will receive the same equal and fair consideration," he read from a prepared statement.

He said he was in possession of two emails written by a council member that demonstrate personal bias that make it "impossible for the author of the emails to render an unbiased consideration of a potential applicant."

Council President Matt Roetter goaded DePriest by asking, "Can you read minds?" Councilwoman Sandra White declared that she now will not be applying for the position of interim mayor. Councilman Roger Saterfiel flatly expressed his lack of faith in the mayoral appointment process moving forward if it is up to the Council to decide.

"Any decisions, interviews or who the interim mayor is going to be cannot be fair and non-biased with this Council," Saterfiel said. "I just don't think this Council can approve an interim mayor without being prejudice and biased."

City administrator Brett Boyer stepped in to cool the conversation.

"The community, they want to see us look to the higher good," Boyer said, "above politics."

"Let's maybe try and take a higher road," he said.

All that aside, Council was able to pass two out of three actions needed to advance the process for selecting an interim mayor. Applications will be accepted through April 25. They will be secured by Boyer and city attorney Fonda Jovick until details of the rest of the process are decided.

If Hayden cannot come to a consensus on selecting an interim mayor, the Council will have to execute an affidavit stating it is at an impasse and cannot reach a successful vote to approve a candidate. Jovick would present that affidavit with a motion to the district court asking for an order for Gov. Brad Little to appoint a mayor. Council would list the names of the top three or four choices for the governor to choose from.

Applications will be available at City Hall and online.

The next Hayden City Council meeting will be at 5 p.m. April 26.

Info: www.cityofhaydenid.us