by Christy Solo – Editor
The Aug. 19 Shady Cove City Council special meeting saw one empty council seat filled, and another open up.
There were only two items on the agenda for the special meeting, to review applications for the interim mayoral appointment and to appoint an interim mayor. The new interim mayor will serve for just over four months. A newly elected mayor will be sworn in at the first council meeting of 2027.
Councilor Cheryl Singleton – who is also running for a two-year council seat in the November election – was the only individual to apply for the interim mayor position.
Council President Steve Mitchell asked Singleton why she was interested in applying for the interim position.
Singleton said, “I think it would be a good step up to learn a little bit more about the city.”
Despite Singleton being the sole applicant, her appointment was not without questions and controversy as has been Shady Cove’s MO of late.
First Councilor Paige Winfrey spoke up believing erroneously that applications had only been open for one week. Mitchell reminded Winfrey that they had announced and opened applications during the Aug. 6, 2026 meeting. Applications were accepted through 5 p.m. Aug. 19, so one day shy of two weeks.
Next citizen Sue Krupa asked if she could question Singleton. Mitchell said Krupa should have filled out a public comment request card if she wanted to speak.
Krupa continued anyway, asking what were “the qualifications” for the appointment. Mitchell advised both the blank application and Singleton’s completed application had been available on the city’s website, “If you wanted to see them.”
Another citizen asked, “Got anybody else?”
Again Mitchell advised Singleton had been the only applicant.
Krupa then asked Mitchell, “What about you? You’re the president.”
Mitchell said first, the appointment was only for four months, then said he cannot fill the position himself as he considers the mayor’s position to be “a full-time job.” Mitchell continued saying he has an upcoming surgery and has to supervise some work being done on his rental properties. In short, he will not have the time.
The motion to appoint Singleton as interim mayor carried 3/1. Singleton was unsure if she could vote for herself but was advised nothing in Robert’s Rules of Order prevents it.
Winfrey was the “no” vote, despite an absence of any other options; including other individuals who are running in the November council election.
Singleton was sworn in immediately and ran the balance of the brief meeting.
She announced that applications for her now vacant council seat are available and will be accepted until 5 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 16. Assuming there are applicants, council will make an appointment to the vacant seat during their Sept. 17, 2026 meeting.
Singleton also announced the Sept. 3, 2026 council meeting has been cancelled due to lack of quorum.
No one signed up for public comment on either non-agenda or agenda items and there were no written comments submitted.
Council comments were brief thank yous to those in attendance.
If you wish to apply for the vacant council seat, you can download the application from the city’s website, or pick one up in person at City Hall.
