Mayor of Sandpoint (MAY-er OV SAND-point)
Head of State in Sandpoint
The Mayor of Sandpoint is technically an autocratic position, and mayors are elected for life. Practically, however, the Sandpoint Town Council and the will of the people of Sandpoint, particularly those in the Sandpoint Mercantile League, are powerful enough that the mayor must yield. The mayor always has a seat on the council, though when the mayor is also head of a founding family the mayoral seat and founder's seat are combined and a new elected seat is added. The current mayor is Kendra Deverin.
Qualifications
They need to win a popular vote
Requirements
There are no official requirements, however every Mayor of Sandpoint has been from the Deverin family, and no one who is not head of founding family has ever run for mayor.
Appointment
The mayor is elected in a special election after the death of the previous mayor. An inauguration and formal ascension to the post is held shortly thereafter.
Duties
Taking care of the people of Sandpoint, and ensuring trade is both prosperous and accessible to every citizen.
Responsibilities
The mayor is technically autocratic, though in practice they order what is agreed upon by the town council. They preside over meetings of the town council, and enact decrees based on the decisions of the council.
Benefits
The mayor draws no salary, but they do have absolute power over Sandpoint. Practically, however, this power is limited by the town council and the goodwill of the people.
Accoutrements & Equipment
There are official scarlet robes with a golden chain of office and a lace collar of office, but these are only worn on the most ceremonial of occasions, not even on formal occasions.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Legally nothing can remove the mayor from office. Theoretically a no confidence vote by the council or the ire of the people would result in a mayor voluntarily stepping down, but this has never been tested.
History
After her father and brother both died while in office, her brother quite young, Kendra was determined not to run. The late sheriff Casp Avertin convinced her otherwise, and she beat Titus Scarnetti in a landslide, something he has not forgiven.
Cultural Significance
Since Sandpoint is an independent town, the mayor is the equivalent of the head of state of a nation. However, given Sandpoint's small size such a title would be far too pretentious. Mayor sounds more like a servant of the people, as all Sandpoint's mayors have styled themselves.
Burgomaster or Reeve
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