gchildress@heraldsun.com; 918-1046
CHAPEL HILL -- As was expected, none of the three incumbents vying for four seats on the Town Council filed an application to fill the vacancy created by the controversial departure of Bill Strom.
The deadline for filing was Monday at 5 p.m.
Incumbents Laurin Easthom, Ed Harrison and Jim Merritt decided not to toss their names into the hat for appointment to the Strom vacancy.
The incumbents have expressed ethical concerns about being a part of a process that could eventually lead to their colleagues appointing them to fill the vacancy. Some also worried that filing to fill the vacancy could be seen by voters as a sign of weakness.
In all, 12 people have filed applications to fill Strom's seat. The group includes all five challengers: Will Raymond, Penny Rich, Matt Pohlman, Gene Pease and John DeHart.
They are joined by H. Brock Page, Joe Capowski, Joshua Ravitch, Donna Bell, Lee Pavao, Aaron Shah and Jason Baker.
The council declined to take nominations for appointments at its business meeting Monday because none of the applicants has been certified for eligibility by the town clerk.
But Mayor Kevin Foy said he wants to appoint one of the 12 to the council on Nov. 9 during a special meeting at 6 p.m. Foy said applicants would be able to make a case for appointment during that session.
"Then we can make a decision after that," Foy said.
But Michael Weil, speaking for a group of citizens carrying red signs with the number 5 printed on them, presented the council with a petition signed by 75 people asking the council to pledge to appoint the fifth-place finisher in the Nov. 3 election to fill the Strom vacancy.
Councilman Matt Czajkowski, who is running for mayor, said he also supports appointing the fifth-place finisher and allowing the newly elected council to choose Strom's replacement.
"Why can't we give our word, that at a minimum, we'll give the new council the opportunity to make the selection," Czajkowski said.
Foy said he could not support that position. He said the current council is obligated to name Strom's replacement.
"I want to make the decision on Nov. 9," Foy said. "That's what I plan to do."
Foy noted, however, that replacing Strom will require five affirmative votes. He said if no candidate wins the support of five council members then the council would consider the appointment at its next meeting.
Councilman Mark Kleinschmidt, who is running for mayor, said there are good arguments for and against appointing the fifth-place finisher. However, he said he believes each council member must decide who they think will make the best replacement for Strom.
Kleinschmidt said the results of the Nov. 3 election will be informative and that he will consider those results in making his decision.
Councilman Ed Harrison said he thinks it makes sense for the next council to name Strom's replacement because its members must work with the person chosen.
"The idea of waiting until the next council is seated makes a whole lot of sense," Harrison said.
Strom, who has reportedly moved to New York, resigned Aug. 1. Had he left office a minimum of three days before the filing period ended July 17, voters would have chosen his replacement in the Nov. 3 election.
