Pinal Today

Recently ousted Eloy City Council member Georges Reuter is set to retake his seat as the council’s latest addition.

Reuter is slated to be sworn in Nov. 14, after being appointed earlier this month to take the seat of outgoing councilmember Andrew Rodriguez. Reuter’s ascension comes after he received the least number of votes in a four-way race. However, with Rodriguez announcing that he would not be accepting a third term, Eloy City Council members moved to appoint Reuter to the vacant seat.

Before the final votes were tabulated, Eloy residents in attendance were allowed to have their say on the matter, with one resident taking Rodriguez to task even as he voiced his support for Reuter.

“The Eloy City Council finds itself in an interesting and perplexing situation in regards to public trust,” PinalCentral.com reports the man said. “Mr. Andrew Rodriguez is now unexpectedly resigning from his recently re-elected term."

The man said he and his wife voted for Rodriguez.

"We believed that you possessed the necessary dedication, honesty and perseverance required by Eloy councilmembers, but it painfully appears that this is not the case. We have both lost confidence in you, Mr. Rodriguez, and your judgment and dedication to our community,” he said.

Of the three residents who addressed the council, all voiced support for Reuter, with another adding, “He is ready on day one. He is already on the council and if I could vote, which I can’t, I would vote for the spot to go to Georges Reuter.”

Eloy Mayor Micah Powell made it a point of commending everyone for the way the vote was handled and stressing that the city plans to move forward.  

“It is good that we are able to talk to each other with respect, and I appreciate that,” he said. “Your words have been duly noted, and I appreciate you for saying what is on your heart. A lot of times, historically, people just wouldn’t care.”

Reuter’s new term will last until 2024, at which point he is eligible to seek re-election.