April Russell, left, and Rich Alexander, right, have been selected as fill-ins for Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse in the event that he cannot carry out his duties.
(WCLU NEWS FILE PHOTOS)
By BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Two people are being put forth as fill-ins for the mayor of Glasgow in the event that he cannot serve, according to the latest city council agenda.
Henry Royse was sworn in as the latest mayor of Glasgow on Dec. 30, 2022. He succeeded Harold “MD” Armstrong.
As a standard procedure, at least one person is put forth to oversee city business in the event that the mayor cannot due to disability or the inability to be reached if he is not nearby. The action is put forth in the form of an executive order and is referred to as “continuity of government.”
Rich Alexander, the city attorney, is being put forth as the immediate administrator if Royse cannot serve in that capacity. The recommendation is not subject to council approval since it was issued as an executive order.
In the event that Alexander is unable to oversee the city, a second person has been put forth. April Russell, the city’s grant oversight director, will serve in the capacity.
WCLU News spoke to Mona Simmons, the city clerk, on Friday afternoon about the two appointments. She clarified that the state law that oversees mayor-council city government styles implements a “continuity of government” rather than a “mayor pro tempore” position. The “mayor pro tempore” position is similar, however.
“The mayor shall provide for the orderly continuation of the functions of city government at any time he is unable to attend to the duties of his office by delegating responsibility…,” according to the law.
Both recommendations are in included in the latest Glasgow City Council agenda for their meeting on Monday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. The inclusion in the agenda simply to inform them of the executive order.
