That Sinking Feeling Again

Who is in charge of day-to-day operations of the city?

A call to the mayor's office Monday is still unanswered. Checks with the city clerk's office have yielded no information on naming of an acting city administrator.

Past vacancies in the office have led to nomination of one of the city's three department heads to fill in. The mayor, corporation counsel or a hired consultant have held the seat in the absence of a permanent city administrator.

Now what if the mayor is also unable to serve for whatever reason, like, say, chicken pox. The city's special charter says the city administrator or a department head can serve. If the mayor is out and neither a city administrator nor a department head can serve, the next in line is a council member. If one is not designated by the mayor, a council majority can appoint one.

Will any of these possibilities happen anytime soon? Who is at the helm of the Good Ship Plainfield?

From the City Charter:


3.3 Vacancies.

Whenever the mayor shall be unable to attend to the duties of his office, due to his absence, disability or other cause, for a period of less than 48 hours, the city administrator or, in the event of his inability to serve, a department head designated by the mayor in writing filed with the city clerk, shall serve as acting mayor. Whenever the mayor shall be unable to attend to the duties of his office:

(a) For a period of less than 48 hours and at a time when neither the city administrator, nor a duly designated department head can serve; or

(b) For a period of more than 48 consecutive hours; or (c) At any time during an emergency declared by the council; a councilman designated under this section shall serve as acting mayor. The mayor may at any time designate in writing filed with the city clerk a councilman to serve as acting mayor under the provisions of this section. Whenever the provisions of this section require a councilman to serve as acting mayor and the mayor has failed to make such a designation or the councilman so designated by the mayor is unable to serve, the council shall by a majority vote of its whole number appoint an acting mayor from among its membership. Any person appointed pursuant to this section shall succeed to all of the rights, powers and duties of the mayor, until the mayor returns, the disability or other cause ceases. In the event of the death, resignation or disqualification of the mayor, there shall be a vacancy in the office which shall be filled by election for the remainder of the unexpired term at the next general election occurring not less than 60 days after the occurrence of the vacancy. The office shall be filled by the acting mayor until the qualification of the person so elected.

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