BLAND — Following an irregular board reorganization on April 10, two Bland aldermen and an improperly sworn-in mayor have failed to attend two subsequent meetings — without giving notice — to attempt to correct mistakes made.

City Clerk Diane Decker said on Monday that the board would be attempting a third meeting yesterday (Tuesday) after the Maries County Advocate’s deadline, to correct the mistakes.

Decker planned to post the agenda on Monday afternoon for the 6 p.m. Tuesday (April 25) meeting.

“If no one shows up then acting mayor, Merrilee Spurgeon, may have to contact the city attorney for advice,” Decker said.

The current situation was caused during the April 10 meeting when Spurgeon, acting as mayor pro-tem, asked the board to declare and accept former mayor Kenny Sullinger’s resignation as soon as the meeting began. Rather than wait for the board reorganization, Alderman Matt Dittman made a motion to appoint Ron Schafferkoetter into the mayoral position.

Schafferkoetter, who tied in the April 4 election with incumbent Alderman Jim Carpenter for the second alderman at-large seat, but had submitted his intentions on April 9 to succeed his claim due to health reasons, accepted the nomination.

“I know you stated your intentions to step down,” Spurgeon said to Schafferkoetter after the out-of-order nomination. “Is this something you can put time into? How long will you be able to sit in the position?”

Spurgeon pointed out that it has a one-year remaining term.

Schafferkoetter didn’t respond but allowed the vote to proceed.

Spurgeon voted no because Schafferkoetter had already stated his intentions to leave the board. Carpenter and Dittman both voted yes for a 2-1 vote.

Newly elected alderman Joe Ridener, who had the most votes for the two open seats (24 votes or 32 percent of the vote) wasn’t sworn in until the end of the meeting, after which time the board reorganization should have taken place. Carpenter and Schafferkoetter were also sworn in during the same time, according to the agenda.

In the days following the meeting, Decker reached out to Missouri Municipal League (MML) about the order and reorganization that took place at the meeting before all new aldermen could have a vote, and was advised to hold a special meeting to reorganize properly.

The first board reorganization meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 18, but Schafferkoetter, Carpenter and Dittman failed to show up. Nor did they send word.

The meeting was posted again at 6 p.m. on April 20, but again, none of the afore mentioned board members showed and neither did they send word that they couldn’t make it.

A third meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 25, after The Advocate’s deadline.

However, reorganizing the board again brings to question if the mayor pro tem reverts back to Spurgeon as Schafferkoetter position was granted out of order and he seceded his seat to his opponent. Or is Shafferkoetter acting mayor?

Shafferkoetter asked Spurgeon following his swearing in if she would serve as his mayor pro tem in his absence. The board approved her position with a 4-0 vote during the April 10 meeting. Therefore if Shafferkoetter doesn’t show, Spurgeon still serves as acting mayor.

If Shafferkoetter, Carpenter and Dittman fail to show a third time, there is a possibility they could lose their alderman seats.

Stuart Haynes, director of administration and policy, said the board may have its own policy on missed meetings.

“They may have a policy that if they miss three meetings in a row the alderman forfeits their seat,” Haynes said. “More than likely it would require impeachment. There is no state law that says an alderman can’t miss three meetings.”

Haynes also suggested making direct contact with the missing board members.

“Someone needs to make direct contact if they can,” he said. “Or the present board could declare the seats abandoned, but they would need to talk with an attorney.”

Decker said on Monday that at least one alderman seat can be declared vacant.

“Jim Carpenter came in on Friday morning between 11:30 and 12 and said he was done,” Decker said.

The clerk said she asked for a resignation letter, but Carpenter allegedly said he didn’t have to give one.