Councilors Linda Vacon and Aaron Vega, vying to be state representative, disagree on whether a councilor also can be a state lawmaker.
HOLYOKE — A proposal to ban elected city officials from holding other elected positions is virtually certain to remain unresolved before the Nov. 6 election.
The proposal was intended to affect the two councilors – Ward 5 Councilor Linda L. Vacon and Councilor at Large Aaron M. Vega – who are both running for state representative.
Vacon filed the order that “no member of the City Council or other elected office of the City of Holyoke shall be permitted to hold any other elected office including positions in the Massachusetts General Court.”
Vacon, a Republican, has said if she wins the state representative race, she would quit the council because one person couldn’t devote the time both seats deserve. Vega has said he probably would stay on the council and do both jobs.
The council referred the order to the Charter and Rules Committee.
State law allows for the holding by a single person of municipal and state legislative positions at the same time, according to Brian S. McNiff, spokesman for Secretary of State William F. Galvin.
Holyoke Ward 4 Councilor Jason P. Ferreira
Ward 4 Councilor Jason P. Ferreira said the order merits discussion, but only after the election. His motion to table the order failed.
“It’s already been a subject of public discussion. It’s not a new issue,” Vacon said.
Vega, who sits next to Vacon’ at council meetings, didn’t comment during the discussion.
Council president Kevin A. Jourdain tried to assure Ferreira that Vacon’s order would require a change to the city charter, a lengthy process requiring approval by the City Council, mayor and state Legislature.
“This wouldn’t be something that in any way wold be approved until after the election,” Jourdain said.
Jourdain has said he would want a councilor devoted entirely to that body and not racing back and forth to Boston for legislative duties.
The next meeting of the Charter and Rules Committee is Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, Jourdain said.