Ranburne council member steps down

Ranburne city councilman  Ernie Crawford informed Town Clerk Pam Richardson on June 29 that he was moving out of state and would no longer be able to serve.
Ranburne’s council has 60 days to appoint a new member under state law.  resident David Walker talked to the four remaining council members at their July meeting about filling out Crawford’s term. Notices were posted this week about the vacancy at City Hall, the Ranburne Senior Center and Ranburne Post Office.
Crawford had been a council member since March 16, 2007, when he was appointed to serve the remainder of Councilman Trevor Kribbs’ term. He ran unopposed in 2008 and 2012.
In fact, Ranburne hasn’t had an election of town officials since 1992.  Members have either been appointed or have run unopposed.
The Ranburne mayor and council members are not paid for their service.
According to state law, if the council members don’t appoint someone within in the 60 days, the mayor and the council members may each submit a nominee to the governor who then has 30 days to appoint someone. If the governor doesn’t appoint someone within those 30 days, the town will have to hold a special election.