DOVER, Del. (AP) - A Dover city councilman wants to allow the mayor and members of the council to tap unelected alternates to serve in their absence.
Councilman David Anderson says the proposed charter amendment would ensure that citizens are fully represented on the council even when elected officials are physically unable to serve.
The amendment would require newly elected city officials to list the names of at least three people to carry out official duties in the event of illness, legal issues or other circumstances.
The News Journal of Wilmington reports that Anderson has a personal stake in the proposal. He's a specialist in the Delaware National Guard, and his unit is about to be deployed to Afghanistan.
Council President Tom Leary says he opposes the proposal.
