LAUREL HILL — Scott Moneypenny wants to serve as Laurel Hill's next city council member.
His candidacy replaces that of Mary Bradberry, who with Daniel Lane have been considered since November 2013 to fill a seat vacated since Clifton Hall's resignation.
As for Bradberry, “There are some issues about whether she actually lives in the city limits,” Council Chairman Larry Hendren said, adding that city leaders plan to study Bradberry’s permanent residence.
Moneypenny, a retired Marine and Navy sailor, served 26 years in the military. His last duty station was Eglin Air Force Base.
A strong sense of civic duty drives Moneypenny, he said. “It's your civic duty to support your community," he said. "No matter where I've ever been, I've supported my community."
Not enough Laurel Hill City Council members showed up to Thursday's regular meeting to make it valid, so those who did attend — Hendren and Betty Williamson — could not discuss Moneypenny's qualifications.
Thursday’s meeting was rescheduled for Dec. 11 after Hendren gave Johnny James and Willie Mae Toles 15 minutes to show up.
The council had been consistently deadlocked, with James and Toles, both black, voting for Bradberry and Williamson and Hendren, both white, voting for Lane each time the matter was raised.
Hendren has contested Bradberry's contention that the appointment process was racist. He said qualifications, not race, factored into the council's deadlock.
The city charter prevents Mayor Robbie Adams, "a non-voting member," from breaking the deadlock, Hendren said.
“There's no provisions whatsoever (to select the next council member) other than a majority vote of the remaining council members unless the next election rolls around, which happens in March.”
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Laurel Hill City Council Make-Up Meeting
WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: City Hall
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New Laurel Hill council candidate announced