city council member David Geile during Monday's council meeting likened serving on the city's Board Of Ethics to the role of a soccer goalie. "It can be a little boring, but then when you're needed, you are critical to what is happening," he said.
Arnie Sprunger, a Wildwood resident, became the appointed alternate member of the Board Of Ethics at Monday's meeting—the last in a series of new volunteers to be put in place. To be appointed to the board, one needs the affirmative vote from three-fourths of the city's 16 council members. He was voted in unanimously.
Sprunger will serve a one-year term. The board is comprised of three members and two alternates.
"I'm here to be a part of the process," said Sprunger, who said he believes there comes a time when many people find it appropriate to volunteer for their city.
Board Of Ethics volunteers were called into action over the past year when Wildwood council members accused fellow council members of , some of which had to do with Sunshine Law requirements and others had to do with perceived conficts of interest and charges of not disclosing all appropriate information on financial disclosure forms.
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The only Board Of Ethics member from last year's lineup now is Lezli Jones.
Returning board member Raymond Manton was reappointed by Wildwood Mayor Tim Woerther, but not voted in by council members at the Aug. 22 city council meeting.
Council members voting for Manton's reappointment were: Larry Goodson, Larry McGowen, David Geile, Tammy Shea, Harry LeMay, Debra McCutchen and Nick Roppolo. Those council members who did not vote for his reappointment were: Ed Marshall, Holly Parks, Katie Dodwell, Aaron Luter, David Sewell, Ron James, Michele Bauer, John McCulloch and Jim Kranz.
As reported by Eureka-Wildwood Patch, resident was appointed in October to replace Manton.
Next, Rob Wilkerson, the former chair of the ethics board, was reappointed at the Feb. 13 council meeting by Woerther, but was not approved by council members. Two council members were absent from that night's meeting: Parks and Geile.
Council members voting in favor of Wilkerson were Marshall, Dodwell, Jack Clark, James, LeMay, McCutchen, and Kranz. Those council members voting against Wilkerson's reappointment were Sewell, Goodson, Bauer, McGowen, Shea and Roppolo. Without the super majority of votes, Wilkerson was not reappointed.
"I find this most disturbing that someone who is volunteering is not appointed, and there is no reason given," said Wildwood resident Terrie Rolwes.
"Especially, when this gentleman gave a ruling (regarding an important city matter) on behalf of the advice of the attorney and the board of which he was leading."
To fill Wilkerson's vacant spot, resident David Ferman was appointed at the March 12 council meeting. He was unanimously affirmed by council members, and will serve a three-year term. He lives in Ward 6.
