Gorum To Council Again?

Will West Wendover City Councilman Johnny Gorum once again escape consequences of defeat at the ballot by securing the appointment to a newly vacated council seat?

Gorum finished fifth out of a field of thirteen for one of three seats for the West Wendover City Council in last Tuesday’s election. Despite the fact that former mayor Donnie Anderson bested him in the election coming in fourth, Gorum should be considered the favorite to gain the seat at the table he lost at the polls.

A staunch ally of Mayor Emily Carter, Gorum has been on the council for over a decade and has never taken a position opposed by either Carter or by City Manager Chris Melville.

While it was once city tradition that a vacant council seat be filled by the next highest votes getter in he previous election, Anderson’s chances of gaining the seat are considered slim to none. He and Carter were often at odds when Anderson was the one who held the gavel.

Additionally, Carter already broke that tradition when she appointed Gorum to a vacant seat two years ago. Like today, Gorum lost his bid for re-election but after a touching farewell ceremony, complete with a plaque, Carter re-appointed Gorum to the council a week later.

That previous re-appointment may be the only thing going against Gorum this time around. Carter came under harsh criticism two years ago and might shrink from a repeat. The West Wendover Mayor does have thick political skin and has weathered worse. The question ultimately lays with the new council which must approve the Mayor’s appointment.

The last time around, Carter cast the tie breaking vote putting Gorum back on the board.

Who ever is appointed will replace Jill Darrington who has served less than a month after being appointed to serve out the term of Saul Andrade.