This morning, at a special meeting of the Carmi City Council, Alderpersons unanimously selected Doug Hays as acting Mayor of Carmi.
Just a week ago, Bill Stendeback announced his immediate resignation as the Mayor of Carmi. With no public discussion as to why, council members had to act quickly to fill the seat. Hays shared his feelings about becoming the next mayor.
“Being Mayor was a goal of mine in a couple of years. I’m willing and ready to take on that with the help of everyone else that’s elected.”
Hays clarified that he is adamant about meeting with people to listen to their concerns; you can email him at [email protected]. Email will be the easiest and fastest option for now with the new transition; he also added,
“I want to meet with everybody that I need to. I do welcome your thoughts, your suggestions. You’re here the same reason we are, and that’s to make Carmi as great as it can be. So I appreciate all of you.”
City Attorney Greg Stewart said Hays has the right to remain Alderman for Ward 2 and vote as an Alderman at future meetings as long as he is Interim Mayor. Hays stated that he would not resign as Alderman.
The other two resolutions on the agenda were to change the signers to Hays for all Carmi Light and Water and City of Carmi accounts at First Bank.
Public comments were welcomed; up first was Greg Fischer. Fischer is currently interested in running for Doug Hays’ Ward 2 Alderman position and conveyed his feelings about Hays keeping his Alderman appointment. Fischer suggested Hays reconsider to allow him to take the Ward 2 Alderman spot and gain experience.
Richard Cook also took to the podium to also discuss Hays keeping the Alderman status. Hays is vying for the Mayor seat in the April elections; if he is elected, Ward 2 will be up for the council to select a person for the seat if he resigns his Alderman position now.
Landon Rudolph went next to address Hays and asked about a possible investigation pertaining to Cynthia Attebury.
Rudolph: “Are you planning to investigate any of the things that I have brought up to the former Mayor about Cynthia..”Hays: “I’d like to sit down and talk with you. You and I have had good conversations. It’s been awhile.”Rudolph: “I understand that, but I’m talking about an outside investigation. Nobody’s going to trust you in the public if you don’t do that. You should know that off the bat.”Hays: “And my answer is I don’t know. I’ve been Mayor for three minutes.”Rudolph: “You knew it was coming. There’s just, I mean, the one question of will somebody investigate that? I’ve got all the evidence ready to go.”