by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — In a letter sent by Melissa Hamlin, Executive Director of the Wellington Housing Authority, the residents of Wheat Capital Manor are recommending Larry Schalk to fill the vacancy left void when Alois Hutchison submitted her resignation last month.

The Wellington City Council will now decide at its regular meeting this Tuesday at the council chambers whether to approve the appointment recommendation or go with someone else.

Hamlin in a letter sent to Wellington City Clerk Shane Shields said a vote was taken at Wheat Capitol Manor among its residents to see who will replace Hutchison, who abruptly resigned on Feb. 2 with a resignation letter to the city of Wellington. The office received over 60 votes in favor of appointing Schalk to the WHA board. 

At the Feb. 3 city council meeting when the council first heard of the Hutchison resignation, the council approved a resolution asking that the Manor residents proceed with a vote of their choice and get back with the council on Feb. 17 with an appointment recommendation. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that one board position must be filled by a resident of the housing authority. Hutchison was a resident of the Manor when she resigned. Her term will expire on April 20, 2018.

“On Tuesday, Feb. 24, we will have our regular housing authority board meeting,” Hamlin wrote Shields. “At that time I would like to have all documents in order so that Larry Schalk can take the oath of office and become a member of the housing authority board.”

Schalk can reapply in 2018. According to city statute, a WHA member can only serve two full consecutive four-year terms.

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