During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed the vacancy left by former council member Michael DeQuisto, who resigned effective June 25. The council is faced with three options regarding the appointment of a temporary replacement until a permanent election in November, which will fill the seat until the end of DeQuisto's term in 2026.

City Manager provided a brief overview of the situation, emphasizing that the council could either choose not to appoint anyone, make a short-term appointment, or establish a process for public applications and interviews for the position. The latter option would allow for community involvement in the selection process.

Public comments reflected a strong sentiment against making an appointment. Resident Steve Cohen argued that appointing someone could give them an unfair advantage in the upcoming election, suggesting that the council should wait for the election to allow the community to choose their representative. Similarly, Pamela Danuka, speaking on behalf of her husband, a candidate for the council, advocated for a transparent process that includes public input, emphasizing the importance of community engagement.

DeQuisto himself expressed concerns about fairness in the appointment process, noting that appointing someone could create an incumbent advantage in the upcoming election. He suggested that if the council decides to appoint someone, they should conduct an open application process followed by public interviews to ensure transparency and fairness.

The council's decision on how to proceed with the vacancy remains pending, with the next steps likely to be influenced by the public's feedback and the upcoming election timeline.