{"id":24776,"date":"2022-09-06T21:15:10","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T01:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=24776"},"modified":"2022-09-07T17:07:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T21:07:20","slug":"did-phillip-walker-legally-qualify-to-be-appointed-to-the-city-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2022\/09\/06\/did-phillip-walker-legally-qualify-to-be-appointed-to-the-city-commission\/","title":{"rendered":"Did Phillip Walker legally qualify to be appointed to the City Commission?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editorial Updated 9\/7\/2022<\/p>\n\n\n

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Phillip Walker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On Sept 5, 2022, the Lakeland Gazette sent an email to Kelly Koos Lakeland City Clerk, and Palmer Davis Lakeland City Attorney, and asked the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Phillip Walker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kelly Koos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A question did Phillip Walker provide ALL of the following when he signed up to be reappointed:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CANDIDATE CONTACT Form? (Please provide the document to us)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resume\/cover letter? (Please provide the document to us)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voter ID card? (Please provide the document to us)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proof of residency aka Copy of Driver\u2019s license? (Please provide the document to us)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving or using documents from a prior election does not count because this is NOT<\/strong> an election it\u2019s an appointment made by the City Commission. Different rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the answer is NO and there is no document to any of these questions that would mean he is NOT qualified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quoted for your website: \u201cTo have your name added to the list of potential candidates, please return the completed packet no later than 12 Noon, August 26, 2022. Remember to include your resume\/cover letter, voter ID card, and proof of residency. <\/strong>Late applications will not be accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– – – –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what\u2019s on the city\u2019s website:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interim Candidate Contact Form<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for your interest in the Interim City Commissioner position.  The City Attorney has opined that any candidate would have to meet all the qualifications to serve on the City Commission.  This means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Lives in District A (northwest) for 1-year prior to Nov 7, 2022.<\/li>
  2. Never been convicted of a felony.<\/li>
  3. Registered voter in Polk County.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Candidates will not raise or spend campaign funds. The appointment will be made by the City Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Please complete the Interim Candidate Contact Form<\/a> and return via email to cityclerk@lakelandgov.net<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Upon receipt of your Interim Candidate Contact Form and<\/em> verifying the above listed qualifications, the City Clerk’s Office will send you a packet for the Interim City Commission position. To have your name added to the list of potential candidates, please return the completed packet no later than 12 Noon, August 26, 2022. Remember to include your resume\/cover letter, voter ID card, and proof of residency. Late applications will not be accepted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The City Commission plans to make a selection prior to the end of September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Davis stated Walker only emailed the following letter:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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