Sunbury council deadlocks on council vacancy; solicitor to petition judge to fill seat

The Sunbury City Council deadlocked Wednesday when members split their votes on nominees to fill a vacant council seat and voted to have the city solicitor seek a judicial appointment. Mayor Josh Brocious presided as council members nominated Victoria Rosencrantz and Andrew Ramos during deliberations, but neither candidate won the majority the council required.

The stalemate prompted legal guidance from the city solicitor, Joel, who told the council that, absent the required majority, the vacancy may be filled by a judge. "If there is not a majority vote ... the president, judge of the court of common pleas of Northumberland County will fill the vacancy upon the petition of 10 qualified electors of the city or the petition of a majority of the remaining members of the council," Joel said. He advised the council it needed either to seek changes in votes now or authorize him to prepare a petition to the court.

Council members had discussed the two nominees at length before voting. John (council member) nominated Victoria Rosencrantz, saying he believed she "goes out to the city" and has rapport with residents; another council member voiced support for Andrew Ramos and described his campaign comments about offering a different vision for the city. The council determined that the votes on the nominees did not produce the three-to-one or unanimous majority the solicitor said would prevent court involvement.

Following the solicitor's explanation, a motion was made and seconded to authorize Joel to prepare and file the petition with the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County asking the president judge to appoint the replacement. The motion was seconded and the council moved forward with the solicitor preparing the paperwork; the solicitor said he would have the petition ready by the end of the week and that the judge would likely decide quickly but could not guarantee a timetable.

The council did not set a new internal appointment deadline; instead, it directed the solicitor to prepare the court petition, effectively transferring the decision to the county court process until the judge acts or council members secure a majority for one nominee.

The judge's timetable for making an appointment was not specified; Joel said the law requires certain time limits but he could not promise how long the court would take. The council's action preserves the option of a judge-appointed replacement if the council cannot consolidate support behind one candidate.