Bohl suffers from stroke; City should take lesson

KJAM breaks the news that County Commissioner Dan Bohl is recovering from a stroke he suffered while visiting San Diego. I wish Dan a speedy, quick, and full recovery.

But there is a lesson to be learned here, and I hope the Madison City Commission takes note. In December, City Commissioner Dan Bohl resigned to take his seat on the county commission. The City Commission elected not to appoint a replacement for Bohl, citing that they were able to operate a member short before when Mayor Royce Hueners passed away, and could do so again until the April election.

The board is right: They were able to govern one commissioner short when Hueners passed away and then-current city commissioner Jerry Johnson served as acting mayor until a special election could take place for a new mayor. And now the city has been able to operate one commissioner short. But if something were to happen to one of the current city commissioners (or mayor), it would leave the city two short and acting as a three-person board. At that point, they might find the work load too much to handle.

Perhaps it is too far to say that the city commission is acting irresponsible not to replace Bohl. However, they are opening themselves up to potential problems should the worse happen.