The Langley mayor’s misreading of municipal code ruffled some feathers this week.
On the evening of Friday, Oct. 13, Mayor Scott Chaplin sent an email to Dominique Emerson, the chairperson of the city’s citizen-led Public Works Advisory Commission, thanking her for her service and letting her know that he had asked Perry Lovelace, her fellow commission member, to take over as chair because of his background and experience in the field.
Peter Morton, another member of the commission, brought the issue to the attention of the city council via email. He also informed the mayor that he did not think he was in the right to dismiss Emerson from her role.
In response, Chaplin cited a section of the Langley Municipal Code on administrative interference that states “Neither the council nor any of its committees or members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or his/her removal from, any office by the mayor or any of his/her subordinates.”
Councilmember Craig Cyr reminded Chaplin of the sections of city code that dictate that the mayor must consult with members of the commission and the city council before appointing a new chair. As the council contact for the Public Works Advisory Commission, Cyr took umbrage that Chaplin had not asked for his opinion on the matter.
“Scott – The Mayor’s role is emphatically not unitary when it comes to Langley’s Citizen Commissions,” Cyr wrote in conclusion. “Stop acting that way.”
Cyr suggested adding the issue to the agenda for this week’s city council meeting, during which Chaplin’s faux pas was briefly discussed.
“Unfortunately, it caused a significant amount of churn over the weekend among PWAC commissioners who were blindsided,” Cyr said during the meeting.
He added that Chaplin reported to him that he understands he did not follow a collaborative process that is detailed in city code, and they both agree that the replacement of the committee chair is null and void. No further action is required by the council or the commission.
“I stand corrected, thank you,” was the mayor’s only comment.
