Common Council appoints Sekima McClinton to Eighth Ward seat after contested process

The Poughkeepsie Common Council voted Jan. 21 to appoint Sekima McClinton to the vacant Eighth Ward council seat, approving resolution R-25-16 by roll call.

The appointment followed public testimony and extended council discussion about the process used to fill the vacancy. Several residents said the council did not publicly solicit resumes or hold interviews; council members said they conducted a caucus and considered applicants before voting.

Council member Menace said the council considered multiple candidates in caucus and that “the democratic process was adhered to.” Council member Menace made the publicly stated defense of the council’s internal procedure, saying he saw the process unfold and that the council had discussed and voted on the appointment in caucus.

Council member Henry, who also spoke during debate, said he voted for a different candidate because he had followed that person’s work at meetings and “witnessed their conviction in making the city a better place.” Several council members, including Henry and Menace, expressed support for the outcome while acknowledging disagreement about who should have been chosen.

Several residents and applicants raised questions at public comment. Daniel Latona, who identified himself as a union member and community organizer and a Ward 8 resident, said he and another Ward 8 resident submitted resumes and a petition supporting his appointment and asked why the council did not run a public search in 2025 as it did after the 2021 vacancy. Junie Man and Laurie Sandow also publicly criticized the appointment process and argued the council should have solicited applications and interviews.

Mayor Yvonne Flowers said the city has followed similar practice in the past when filling council vacancies and noted that some applicants voluntarily sent resumes even when the council did not issue a formal public call. The mayor also extended condolences to the family of Mayor Torrance Harvey’s recently deceased mother and thanked city public-safety and public-works staff for cold-weather response work.

Roll call on resolution R-25-16 recorded the following votes as read aloud by the clerk: Council member Henry — Aye; Council member Menace — Aye; Council member Brown — Aye; Council member James — Aye; Council member Grant — Aye; Majority Leader Patterson Thompson — Aye; Vice Chair Shook — Aye; Chairman Wilson — Aye. The resolution passed.

The council and members of the public differed over whether an application from Ms. McClinton had been received and circulated before the caucus. Council members said the caucus considered multiple people, and at least one council member said they did not personally see a resume for Ms. McClinton before voting. Residents said the council should publish a clear, documented process for future appointments.

The council did not take other formal action on the appointment beyond the roll-call approval. The appointee’s start date and any next steps to fill administrative records were not specified in the meeting transcript.