Retired police officer named to City Council

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2001 | 10:40 a.m.

Retired Denver Police Sgt. Donna Fairchild was elected by the Mesquite City Council Tuesday night to replace City Councilman Chuck Hackleman, who died last month.

The council voted 4-1, with Mayor Charles Horne in the minority, to name Fairchild to the council.

"She has experience in government as a former police officer, and she's very pleasant," City Manager Bryan Montgomery said after the meeting.

Fairchild had run for a council seat but lost in the April primary when she finished seventh, trailing six candidates who moved on to the June general election to compete for three seats. The election was contentious because a "People's Choice" slate backed by Horne lost to the three eventual winners -- Hackleman, incumbent Councilman Cresent Hardy and newcomer J. Scott Fisher.

Fairchild, who was not immediately available for comment, had voiced her support for the three eventual winners after the primary and actively campaigned for Hackleman. Councilman David Bennett, who nominated Fairchild at the meeting, said he was swayed to do so in part because Hackleman's widow had spoken highly of Fairchild prior to the council vote.

"I wanted to replace him with someone who represented his ideals," Bennett said. "Donna Fairchild has been very positive in wanting the city to move forward."

Fairchild was sworn into office during the meeting.

Horne's critics have charged that the mayor wants to amass more power over city business by creating a new government within existing government. The mayor has countered that he simply wants to follow the law. He has accused his council foes of bending rules to their advantage.

Even the nomination process that led to Fairchild's selection was contentious. Horne argued that he had the right to make nominations to fill the council vacancy, but City Attorney Terrance Marren said any member of the council could make a nomination.

The council majority then decided to make nominations in alphabetical order. That meant Councilman David Anderson was to go first, but since he was not present at the meeting but participating via a speaker phone, he deferred to Bennett, who then nominated Fairchild.

Montgomery said there is some confusion as to whether Fairchild will be able to complete Hackleman's four-year term through 2005 or be forced to stand election for a new term in 2003. Marren said he believes she would only be able to serve two years, but Montgomery said the city will seek clarification from the attorney general's office.

Hackleman, who died July 25 of a heart attack at age 61, was first named to the council last year to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Councilwoman Susan Cook. Hackleman then was elected in June to a four-year term.