Mesa District 3 residents interested in filling the spot left by the ouster of Mesa City Councilmember Ryan Winkle are encouraged to apply for a temporary appointment to the Mesa City Council. The temporary Council seat term will end in the fall of 2018.
Winkle was forced out at a special meeting of the City Council this morning. Councilmembers determined that Winkle would forfeit his office effective immediately as a result of his DUI conviction.
Any voter who has resided in District 3 for a period of no less than two (2) years is eligible to apply. Applications will be available online beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5 at: http://www.mesaaz.gov/D3application. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, during the Council’s regularly scheduled study session, Councilmembers will discuss applications and select interview candidates. The following week, on Sept. 28, the Council will interview the candidates and appoint the District 3 Councilmember during a Special Council Meeting that morning.
The resident appointed to fill the temporary Council position will serve as Mesa’s District 3 representative until a new Councilmember is elected and sworn into office. Elections for a permanent District 3 Councilmember will be held in August 2018, with a run-off in November 2018, if necessary.
Winkle admitted in an opinion piece and a popular Mesa blog that he is an “alcohol abuser,” and needs “help to change that.”