At the Monday night, May 7 meeting, the Oakdale City Council will decide on how to fill the vacant position left by Jason Howard who resigned last month.

Several persons have stepped forward including current Oakdale City Treasurer Mike Murray, former Councilwoman Mickey Peabody and even possibly Howard’s mother, Ramona Howard.

Former Oakdale Police Lieutenant Vern Gladney recently announced his interest in the position and will also run in the November 2012 election. Gladney served with the Oakdale Police Department for over 30 years, starting as a patrol officer and rising through the ranks until his retirement in 2010.

At issue is also how to fill the seat vacated by Howard due to him pursuing an out-of-the area job in Grass Valley. The council is split between appointing an individual until this November and then holding a special election for the seat or an appointment for Howard’s original duration of more than two years.

Ron Bordona, a 40-year Oakdale resident and a member of “Oakdale Citizens for Good Government” stated he would like to see the council act quickly with little cost to the city and appoint Murray as the most logical choice.

Murray was the November 2010 runner-up who lost by only 9 votes in the election where Howard and current councilman Mike Brennan were selected by voters.

Murray will be at Medlen’s House of Beef tonight, May 3, at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by Oakdale Citizens for Good Government.

Look for the story on Monday’s council meeting in the May 9, 2012 edition of The Oakdale Leader.