MITCHELL – Immediately after being sworn into office, Mayor Jordan Hanson had to flip a coin to decide who will serve as the next president of the Mitchell City Council. Following a 4-4 tie vote for the council president nomination, a coin flip was needed to decide the next council president. In what’s believed to be the first coin flip vote in council history, the coin landed on tails and gave Kevin McCardle the nod to remain as council president.
McCardle and longtime council member Marty Barington were the two nominees for the council president. McCardle served as the council president under former Mayor Bob Everson for five years. Councilman Jeff Smith nominated Barington to take on the role as council president and highlighted his extensive experience and leadership qualities.
“I always think it’s nice to get a fresh set of eyes when a new mayor comes in. Given the fact he’s been on for 18 years, and his leadership ability would complement our new mayor,” Smith said of Barington. ADVERTISEMENT Councilman Mike Bathke nominated McCardle to remain as president of the council and received support for the motion from council members John Doescher, Dan Sabers and McCardle himself.
“With a new mayor coming in, I think it’s good to keep a bit of the norm as we start off here,” Bathke said. Barington’s nomination was supported by council members Susan Tjarks, Tim Goldammer, Smith and Barington himself. Goldammer explained his decision to vote for Barington as .
