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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, May 19, 2008 Page 12 Vivian Ramalingam, 2182 Acorn Road Ms. Ramalingam questioned the constitutionality of excluding candidates for ap- pointment due to their intention of running for election; supporting the view of the populace and consideration of appointment of anyone interested in serving, with- out excluding those intending to run for office. Al Sands, 2612 Aldine Mr. Sands reiterated previous comments and opinions that politics are not nice; opining that it matters who you know, not what you know. Mr. Sands congratu- lated City Councilmembers for enduring the process; opining that he didn't envy their decision-making. John Kysylyczyn, 3083 N Victoria Street Mr. Kysylyczyn reviewed different views on past vote totals and statistics and wished Councilmembers the best of luck with the challenge before them. Mayor Klausing closed public comment on this issue. Further discussion among Councilmembers included interpretations of the ap- pointment and election processes; recognition by Mayor Klausing of private dis- cussions and suggestions by Carol Kough and perceptions that people perceived to be in agreement with former Councilmember Kough be appointed and ever- shifting dynamics in issues before the City Council; impacts of recent vote totals based on the City's switch to even-year elections; and Mayor Klausing's recogni- tion that his approach had changed since his position in 2004 based on results of his previous position. Ihlan moved, Pust seconded (for discussion purposes), appointment of Karen Schaffer to the City Council position made vacant upon the death of Tom Kough, based upon her receipt of over 7,000 votes for City Councilmember in the last municipal election. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of the motion; opining that this repre- sented the most democratic, rather than political, appointment based on the results of the most recent municipal election, with Karen Schaffer as the runner up for the Council seat and representing the opinion of the majority of voters. Council- member Ihlan opined that if the Council majority didn't support this motion, they would indicate that their opinions were more important that those of the voting public. Councilmember Ihlan reviewed her reasons for supporting Ms. Schaffer for appointment, noting that her application stood out from the strong pool of ap- plicants, based on her strong desire to serve; former Councilmember Tom Kough's February letter suggesting appointment of the previous elections' next highest vote getter; her assurance that Councilmember Kough would have sup- ported this choice, since he suggested it himself; that the appointment of Ms. Schaffer represented a good principle of public policy and honored Councilmem-