By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - An agenda item added by Maxine Snipes at the beginning of Monday evening's Village of Cassopolis council meeting would have changed the village treasurer and clerk positions to appointed ones, if it had passed.
The present clerk, Paula Beauchamp, objected to the change, as did some council members. Trustee Vince Hawkins said, "it is my understanding we as a council can't make constitutional changes." Michelle Andrews agreed with Hawkins.
Snipes cites the money spent in training the clerk and added, "she could be removed by an election. It could be a popularity contest."
Beauchamp said this was addressed previously a few years ago, when she was a council member. "I voted no then. Have you asked the residents of the community what they want? Let the people decide."
The motion failed by one vote, with Lou Ann Bates and Bill Curry joining Andrews and Hawkins, and only President Julia Bell and Snipes voting yes.
The empty trustee seat was filled Monday with the appointment of Bob Yoder. Bell said he was the only one to show interest. Yoder had run previously for a council seat. Bates, Andrews and Hawkins voted against his appointment.
Yoder will serve until 2007, due to changes in the elections laws in the state. Additionally the positions of clerk, treasurer, president and three trustees seats are also extended to 2007.