Tuesday, July 18, 2000
Distel returns to 3rd Ward council seat
By Erik Burriss
Staff Writer
After a six-month, 24-day hiatus, Tom Distel is again the 3rd Ward's representative to City Council.
A resolution appointing Distel to the vacant seat was approved 6-2 at the beginning of Monday night's city council meeting. Distel was sworn in immediately following the vote, filling the last vacancy left by last month's resignations of Council President Keith Kirchner and 3rd Ward representative Todd Edmond.
Former planning commission member Fred Gillig had also sought the 3rd Ward position.
"I consider it an honor to sit in this seat," Distel said. "I'm glad to be back."
Other members of City Council said they received more phone calls, both supporting and opposing Distel, on this issue than any other.
At-large Councilman Pete Galipeau and 1st Ward Councilman Dale Depew, who cast the two negative votes, said the calls they received were overwhelmingly opposed to returning Distel to City Council.
Despite voting against Distel, "I will welcome Tom to the council in the spirit of cooperation," Depew said.
The remaining six council members had a variety of reasons for voting for Distel.
"Mr. Distel has proven he's willing to serve the city," 2nd Ward Councilman Paul Elchert said. "He did a good job in the previous eight years."
At-large Councilman Mark Hayes said Distel's appointment is a temporary measure since the seat will be voted on in the 2001 general election.
"It's going to be tough enough for council with one neophyte," 4th Ward Councilman Jim Boroff, in his first regular City Council meeting said.
Most of the residents who called At-large Councilwoman Wilma Klopp in opposition to Distel cited his previous record on City Council. However most of the issues were "things he had could have no control over," she said. "We need someone with experience."
Distel said he will still be a candidate for county commissioner in the November election.
Mayor Bernie Hohman said he must now consider who to nominate for Distel's spot on the Charter Review Commission.