DAPHNE, Ala. (WPMI) Folks in Daphne filed into City Hall Monday as the City Council met to choose a new mayor. Mayor Bailey Yelding was laid to rest last week after an unexpected death, although he had been battling cancer.
Last week, the Attorney General gave the council the go ahead to pick a new mayor.
"Mr. Yelding was a good mayor, an honorable man, and this council is a very good council and they will elect one of their own," said Jim Oates, a long time resident and local business owner.
Oates said the council is doing the right thing. Replacing someone like the late Mayor Bailey Yelding is not easy task, but he said there is no time to waist.
The city council asked and the Attorney General responded, saying the council has the authority to pick the new mayor as long as the choice is a Daphne resident.
"Nobody has really said how they are going to vote to each other. We all have been listening to our constituents and we've been getting a feel from the people in the community," said John Lake, the city's longest serving council member.
Lake expects a decision Monday night. He can't nominate himself but may very well be nominated by others on the council. Whoever is nominated will need four votes to win.
"If that person doesn't get four votes, it will go to the next name. If that person doesn't get the votes then it goes to the next name. If we cant decide then there will be a two week lay over," said Lake.
Monday, folks like Jan Heaton were hoping and expecting a smooth transition.
"I would hope that a person will be appointed and save the city the money for a special election which is always costly. That what I think should probably happen," said Heaton.
A special election would cost the city around $30,000. The council would have to petition the legislature and that could take up to three months.
