Libby Council appoints Neff to fill vacancy

Gary Neff has been appointed to replace former Libby City Councilman Bill Bischoff, despite opposition from Mayor Doug Roll.

During a special meeting of the City Council Monday evening, three candidates expressed interest in replacing Bischoff, who resigned effective July 31 in order to avoid conflict between his position on the council and his public employee pension.

Local business owners Kristin Smith and Lee Bothman, in addition to Neff, threw their hats into the ring to be considered. After each candidate answered a series of questions from the council members, Mayor Roll opened the floor to discussion.

Councilman Allen Olsen made a motion to appoint Neff to the open seat. Councilman Brent Teske seconded the motion, citing Neff’s desire to run for the office when a seat opens again in two years, as well as Neff’s independence from the council, the mayor and the issues that have plagued the city in recent months.

When the question was called, Councilwoman Dejon Raines joined Olsen and Teske in support of Neff, and his appointment carried by a 3-2 vote. Councilwomen Barb Desch and Peggy Williams voted against the motion.

Once the vote was finalized, Roll announced his intention to “exercise his right to veto” the council’s decision, drawing audible reactions from the assembled crowd and some members of the council.

“I don’t know Gary, I honestly don’t,” Roll said after announcing his veto.

During the follwoing discussion about procedure related to a mayor’s veto, which Roll said he could use on any ordinance or resolution,

Councilman Teske questioned Roll’s veto, finding nothing in the city charter to allow the mayor to veto appointments made by council, but Roll argued that a council appointment is an act of council, which is a verbal resolution.

Councilman Olsen then moved to override the mayor’s veto. A veto override, according to the city charter, requires a two-thirds vote of the council members present. With five members on the council, the override required four votes. Teske seconded the motion. Councilwoman Desch then called for a vote on the motion.

Olsen and Teske voted to override the mayor, but the proceedings stalled when the vote came to Councilwoman Dejon Raines. After taking a few moments to “process” her decision, Raines joined Teske and Olsen in voting to override the mayor’s veto. Councilwoman Desch voted to uphold the veto, leaving the final decision in the hands of Councilwoman Peggy Williams, who voted with Olsen, Teske and Raines to override the veto.

After the vote, the three candidates were brought back into the council chambers, where the mayor announced Neff had been selected. As Neff approached the council desk to be sworn in, Roll told Neff he had vetoed the appointment. “Sorry,” he said.

After the swearing-in, Neff said he was glad to receive the appointment and he looks forward to helping move the city in a positive direction.

“Actually, I’m giggly,” Neff said. “I’m very happy about this and very excited to be involved in helping the city.”