December 13, 2023 |
Photo – Medicine Bow Town sign – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Medicine Bow, another mayor resigns abruptly and without explanation.
Before the start of Monday’s Medicine Bow town council meeting officially started, Mayor Bradley Buum announced his resignation. After a brief speech expressing his gratitude, Buum handed Councilman Justin George his resignation letter and left the meeting chamber.
Buum became mayor in July, following the resignation of Lucy Schofield. At the time, the Medicine Bow town council consisted of Mayor Pro Tem Buum and council members Sharon Kahl and Cindy Chase. The two council members voted to have Buum succeed Schofield. Following the vote, then town attorney Robert Piper said the mayor is legally unable to vote. Attorney Piper said with only two voting members, the council no longer had a quorum and the meeting needed to end. Piper said the Carbon County District Court would need to step in to appoint more council members.
Four days later, on July 14th, the council called a special meeting to officially vote Buum in as mayor. At the meeting, Attorney Piper said a 2014 amendment to the Wyoming statutes covering the powers and duties of mayor allows the mayor to vote. With three voting members, Piper said the town had a functioning council again. Piper resigned as the town’s attorney soon after.
Roughly 40 minutes into Monday’s meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Justin George read Buum’s resignation letter.
Buum served as mayor for five months. He did not give a reason for his sudden departure.
The council voted to go into executive session to discuss the selection of a new mayor. After the closed-door meeting, Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer called for a vote to select George as mayor. Councilwoman Sharon Kahl, who was attending the meeting via telephone, seconded.
Maintenance Operator Frank Fisher asked if two council members constituted a quorum. Mayor George said Attorney Smith advised the council that Wyoming state law allows a majority of an existing quorum to continue voting.
In his first act as mayor, George called for a vote to declare a vacancy on the town council. Following the successful vote, the town will begin collecting letters of interest for Mayor George’s vacant council seat.
