Should the Freedom town clerk be elected or appointed?

On the April 5 ballot this year is a question of whether the Freedom town clerk should be appointed or elected.

The reason for the question appearing on the ballot, said trustee Michelle Shelite, was to find a town clerk who meets the state's requirements for eligibility, but to do so in a way that removes the requirement that that person live within town limits.

The statute that controls qualifications for elected office include these items:

Must be a resident of Freedom

Must be registered to vote in Freedom

In the case of trustees, they must reside in the ward they represent.

The statue goes on to say that once an elected official no longer lives in town limits, they cease to be an elected official.

“The purpose is to find a person who meets the qualifications but doesn't have to live within town limits,” said Shelite.

State Statute Allows This

A state statute (§11-16-207-B) says that the board of trustees of any town can write an ordinance on the topic and put it to the town for a vote on whether to allow the board of trustees to appoint the town clerk, rather than have an elected official in that role. The same statute says boards of trustees could also decide they want to appoint the town treasurer or a combined clerk-treasurer position. In a city, the mayor would make these appointments. But since Freedom has a board of trustees, they are the ones who make the decision, not the mayor.

Removing an individual from that office would also require the vote of the entire board.

If the town votes in favor of appointment to the office, it will take effect at the end of the current term of the office.

How You Should See the Question on the Ballot

On the ballot, each appointment must be voted on separately. The question on the ballet should read substantially as follows:

Shall the Town Clerk be appointed by the board of trustees? ( ) Yes ( ) No

Don't forget to vote April 5.