Yoder chairs her final meeting of county council: “Find what makes you come alive and go do it.”
Tuesday night’s Monroe County council’s work session was highlighted by debate on the issuance of $3 million worth of general obligation bonds—the item passed on a 5–1 vote with dissent from councilor Marty Hawk.
At the end of session, councilors marked the occasion of council president Shelli Yoder’s last time to preside over a meeting. Yoder announced her resignation last Thursday, effective at the end of October—she’s moving out of District 1, which she represents.
The council left the matter of electing a new president of the council for another time.
Geoff McKim told her: “I just want to thank you for your service to this council and this community. You’ve done a fantastic job as council president. It’s been an honor working with you.”
Hawk, who serves as the sole Republican on the county council, followed McKim, saying, “It has been really fulfilling to be able to work with this council and to… be treated with respect by our council president, regardless of what political side of the political aisle.”
Vice president of the council, Eric Spoonmore said, “I’m saddened, that we’re losing such an esteemed colleague as president Yoder. I know you will find ways to continue to stay involved in our community and doing the all great things that you have been… Thank you so much for your leadership, it has been an absolute honor to work with you.”
Yoder wrapped up the meeting with thanks to the community, her council colleagues and the employees of Monroe County:
The last 7 years have been a privilege to serve this community, the residents of this community, to sit alongside the colleagues I’ve been able to get to know … learning from you, being inspired by you, being challenged by you. I have grown, I have been touched by your generosity, and will take that with me into every single way that I can serve this community. And may we all do all that we can to make the world a better place … I encourage everyone watching, listening to find what makes you come alive and go do it. I would say a special thank you to all the employees of Monroe County, who so selflessly and with dignity serve this community. Thank you. It has been an honor to serve alongside you. And with that, I thank you and this meeting is adjourned.
Yoder also told The Beacon last week that she plans to attend the joint meeting of the county council and the Bloomington’s city council, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 in the Nat U. Hill room of the county courthouse.
Under state statute, it’s the party to which the resigning councilmember belongs that has the responsibility to find a replacement. The statute says the party chair has ten days after a vacancy occurs to give notice to the precinct “committeemen” that a caucus will be held. The caucus itself has to be held no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs.
When The Beacon spoke with Monroe County Democratic Party, Jennifer Crossley, at “The Power of the Black Vote” panel discussion in city council chambers on Saturday, Crossley said she was still working to schedule the caucus.
Vice chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party, Peter Iversen, has stated on his Facebook page that he is a candidate to fill the vacancy left by Yoder.
