Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Randolph Appointed FM Mayor

Brad Randolph takes the oath of office as Mayor of Fort Madison.
Brad Randolph takes the oath of office as Mayor of Fort Madison.

The city of Fort Madison has a new mayor as the city council appointed Alderman At-Large Brad Randolph to the post during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Randolph served as Mayor Pro Tem under former Mayor Steve Ireland, who passed away last month.  Randolph has been serving as mayor since then.

Randolph says he is both honored and humbled to be Fort Madison’s new mayor.  He says one of his top priorities will be to complete a project near and dear to Ireland’s heart: the renovation of the Santa Fe Depot Complex.

Randolph joined the Fort Madison City Council in 2006.  City staff says he was the only resident to apply to serve as Mayor.

Randolph took the oath of office immediately after his appointment. 

He also provided a laugh to those in attendance immediately after taking the oath as he tried to make a motion on the next item on the agenda.  Only city council members can take that type of action.

Residents now have 14 days to petition the city council if they want to see the process start over with the vacancy being filled by special election.

City Manager Byron Smith says it remains unclear as to how long Randolph will serve as mayor before having to appear on the ballot.  He says legislation pending in Des Moines will determine whether it is the upcoming general election or the city elections in 2013.

Randolph's appointment as Fort Madison mayor leaves a vacancy on the city council.

The city will start accepting applications from those interested in serving as Alderman At-Large.  The city council hopes to fill the vacancy during its first meeting in May.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.