Kahlotus to choose new mayor on March 17

The Kahlotus City Council will choose a new mayor this month following the withdrawal of Patti Hamilton.

Hamilton, in her sixth year as mayor of the Franklin County town, population 193, stopped participating in city business in January.

In a series of letters, Hamilton cited health issues and conflicts at city hall for her absence from public life. Hamilton told the Herald that she had not officially resigned, but she confirmed she did not plan to complete her four-year term, which ends Dec. 31, 2017.

Hamilton, 53, said overwork at the post, which pays about $200 a month, contributed to a six-day hospitalization in January at Trios Health in Kennewick. Hamilton, who was born with spina bifida, a defect affecting the spine, uses a wheelchair.

Her letters, part apology for leaving the job undone and part explanation of her health issues, said she needs to focus on getting better. She characterized her absence as medical leave. She said she likely will move closer to the Tri-Cities to be nearer to doctors and services.

“I didn’t abandon the people,” she said.

Mayor Pro Tem David Wooten has been serving as mayor in her absence.

Although she did not formally resign, Washington law considers a post vacant if an elected city council member or mayor misses three consecutive meetings without being excused. The town confirmed Hamilton has missed two regular meetings and a special one and has not responded to attempts to communicate.

The regularly scheduled March 17 council meeting will be her fourth unexcused absence. The council will appoint a new mayor at that time.

The council may choose from its own ranks or from the ranks of registered voters who have lived in Kahlotus for at least one year. If it chooses from its own ranks, it will have to fill that vacancy — its second in 2016.

Marcia Robitaille was appointed to fill the spot held by Bob Hagans, who resigned for health reasons shortly after winning a coin toss to retain his seat. Hagans had previously resigned from the council for health reasons, but it was too late to remove his name from the November ballot and he ran against Marcia Robitaille.

Robitaille and Hagans both won 19 votes, forcing elections officials to hold a coin toss to determine the outcome. Hagans won the coin toss and subsequently resigned a second time.

In addition to Wooten and Robitaille, the Kahlotus City Council consists of Sharee Beckner, John P. Rogers and Shirley Ayers.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Kahlotus to choose new mayor on March 17."