Colorado Springs City Council has a new member. It approved Stephannie Fortune, a 16-year resident of Colorado Springs, to represent District 3 during a special meeting Friday. Earlier this week the council was deadlocked over her appointment.
In December, Fortune had received the support of five council members during an informal vote, but Council Member Dave Donelson switched his allegiance to Sallie Clark during the last meeting. He cited Sallie Clark’s long experience in government and Fortune’s short time as a District 3 resident; she moved there in November. After seeing that Sallie Clark, his so-called “compromise candidate,” did not get enough votes to win, he changed his vote to give Fortune a majority again.
Fortune will fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Richard Skorman, who recently endorsed two other candidates Terry Martinez and Toby Gannett. Skorman said in an email that they were by “far the best candidates to represent my views and the needs of District 3.” They also had support of hundreds of residents, who sent emails and phone calls to the council.
In the final vote Friday, Wayne Williams, Mike O'Malley, Dave Donelson, Randy Helms and Tom Strand were in support of Fortune’s appointment and Nancy Henjum, Bill Murray and Yolanda Avila were opposed.
