Bray issues statement on filling commission vacancy

Paducah Mayor George Bray issued a statement on Wednesday about what's next following the removal of city commissioner David Guess. 

The Paducah Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to remove Guess from office on Tuesday, which leaves a vacancy on the commission. 

Bray said that the commission has the authority to appoint someone in the first 30 days following the opening, before that authority shifts to Governor Andy Beshear. Bray said the issue will be discussed and he hopes to have someone to appoint at the next meeting on January 24th.

Guess can still appeal his removal in McCracken Circuit Court.


Full statement from Mayor George Bray:

"Following last night’s decision to remove a member, the Paducah Board of Commissioners and I have reviewed the process as outlined by law to fill this unexpired term. KRS 83A.040 governs the process and states that within 30 days, the Board must fill the vacancy; otherwise, the power to fill the vacancy shifts to the Governor to fill by appointment. 

In order to move this community forward and to conduct the business needed for a city government’s operations, this unexpired term should be filled as soon as possible. We will discuss this process at the January 24 meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners with the ultimate goal that evening in making a motion to appoint a member. 

The City of Paducah also is notifying the McCracken County Clerk’s office and the Kentucky Secretary of State of the vacancy as required by law. I want to thank the community for their support during this transitional period."