Council Considers Reapportioning, Redistricting &Meeting Schedule

 by Leslie Lytle
Messenger Staff Writer

At its April 21 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council discussed redrawing district boundaries and reapportioning council representation with a view to securing a vital and engaged body of council members to serve the community.

The terms of six elected council representatives and two appointed council representatives expire in December 2014. A candidate for an elected seat must submit a petition signed by at least 10 registered voters who reside within the candidate’s district by Oct. 15. Appointed seats are filled by Vice-Chancellor John McCardell.

Student representative Caitlin-Jean Juricic suggested the  vice-chancellor appoint two student representatives instead of only one. Juricic said students wanted to become more active in and better informed about community initiatives. Students are also seeking representation in the Sewanee Business Alliance and Civic Association.

Council representative Theresa Shackelford proposed the districts be redrawn to more accurately reflect the demographics of the community. Council representative John Flynn suggested reducing the number of elected district representatives, currently three per district, to allow for elected at-large representatives.

McCardell supported investigating the feasibility of all three proposals, but said implementing them would require an amendment to the organization’s constitution. Council members interested in further discussions of this issue should notify McCardell or Provost John Swallow.

McCardell suggested “less frequent but more substantive meetings” might make serving on the council more attractive. Council representative David Coe endorsed the suggestion, pointing out that in the past year council meetings were canceled for lack of agenda items. The bylaws say the council shall “normally” meet on the fourth Monday of each month except in July and December.

Council representative Pam Byerly asked community residents to remember to take their garbage cans back to their homes following trash pickup.

Police Chief Marie Eldridge said she would investigate a complaint about trash dumped on Roark’s Cove Road. If a name is found in the debris, the Police Department will ask the offender to clean up the site. If the individual responsible cannot be identified, Eldridge will look into having the Franklin County road crew address the problem.

On behalf of a constituent, council representative Chet Seigmund asked what steps should be taken when a leaseholder’s lawn was not maintained. Council representative and Superintendent of Leases Barbara Schlichting said her office should be notified in such cases, and she would investigate the complaint.

Council representative Coe called attention to two incidences of unsightly logging done at a time when visitors would be present on campus and asked that in the future the University take into account aesthetics and timing.

Frank Gladu, the University’s vice president of administrative services,  announced that there will be an open house at the new Sewanee Inn in early May [specific details will be in next week’s Messenger]. Gladu also announced a mid-May focus group session to discuss the draft action plan for the downtown area produced by the architectural firm Ayers Saint Gross. The council’s next meeting is on May 19.