Jefferson City Council filled their ranks Tuesday night by swearing in newly elected Ward 2 Alderwoman Robin Moore, and appointed Jamey Parsons to fill the remainder of Gary Amburn’s Ward 2 seat he vacated last month.
Three names were put forward for the position during the course of the 2-hour meeting.
Parsons, who spoke during public comment, said “I don’t feel like I’m always capable of speaking for everyone, but I think I speak for everyone in our ward when I say we do not want this position to remain vacant. There is at least 9 probably 10 months left in this term and quite frankly to leave it vacant it not fair to Robin Moore to have to carry the responsibility of representing the ward by herself. I’ve asked the city council to appoint me to fill out the remainder of Gary’s term. Not to show any disrespect for anyone else who might be interested but I’ve been vetted by voters and affirmed by signatures on a petition that I submitted.”
Parsons submitted a petition, signed by 69 residents of Ward 2, requesting Council fill the vacant seat immediately and appoint Parsons as the representative.
“Since Gary’s resignation, Ward 2. Has not had full representation,” said Jan Grubbs during public comment. “We want our equal say in important city council decisions. Jamey Parsons lost to Gary Amburn by 6 votes in 2020. For the respect of the voters and taxpayers of Ward 2, please consider him.”
The Jimplecute requested the signatory’s addresses be verified and the voter registration status confirmed by the Marion County Voter Registrar Karen Jones. Jones confirmed all were residents of the ward, and all but 5 were registered voters.
April Taylor Johnson was also put forward as a potential replacement for Amburn.
“I’m not here to down or berate anyone else interested in the position,” said Mary Spearmon. “But let me tell you about April. She’s a precious young lady. Many children graduate from Jefferson and leave town and don’t return. April is here. She’s one of several responsible for F.R.E.S.H. activities in Jefferson. She’s a pillar of the community. She brings children and families into all that she does. Spread a little love April’s way.”
Amburn also provided his endorsement of Johnson via a written statement read by Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker.
“As you know I resigned my position as Alderman for Ward 2 Jefferson, Texas, for health reasons out of my control. As hard as that decision was to make, I realize it’s an equally hard decision in appointing my replacement. I’ve been thinking for the last month about who I’d like to place in that role. At this time I’d like to recommend April Taylor Johnson for the Ward 2 role. I hope that my decision helps make the right decision for Ward 2.”
Baker notified council of a phone call he received from Robert Wooley expressing an interest in being considered for the vacancy. Wooley was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.
“In all deference to April,” said Moore, “I am so excited she is interested in city government and I commend her for that. I love it. I’m hoping with the upcoming strategic planning that April will be involved. We need young people to get involved in city government. I’m exicited. On the other hand, we do have a person who actually ran and came in second for that very position. So, because of that, I make the motion we place Jamey Parsons in the position as ward 2 alderman.”
“I appreciate what April is doing and she’s active in the community,” Ward 1 Alderman Jim Finstrom said, “and think we need diversity on the council and I’d like to see April put on Council.”
“I think she would be great, but I just want her to run first,” said Ward 3 Alderman Richard Turner. “I know April and I think she would be great, I just want her to run in the next election cycle. It’s pretty obvious Jamey wants it. No one told him to go out and get a petition, but he did it. It’s like he’s already got 70 votes from his constituents.”
“I did receive a phone call from an individual interested in the position, Robert Woolsey,” said Baker. “I did want y’all to know he did express an interest in being considered.”
Moore made the motion to appoint Parsons and Turner seconded. Moore, Turner and Alderman Ward 1 David Westbrook voted yes to appoint Parsons. Finstrom voted no.
Alderman Ward 3 Ted Dickson, who was present via video link, was unable to vote as the City has not received videoconference certification by the Texas Department of Information Resources. He was allowed to participate in discussions, but cannot be counted towards a quorum nor can he vote.
Parsons will be sworn in at a later meeting.