SHARON, PA. Councilmen nix panel's choice when filling seat

The majority of council didn't follow the party suggestion for Rotunno's seat.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- The chairman of the Sharon Democrat Committee said her group might not make another recommendation to council to fill a vacant council seat.
Chris Outrakis, a member of city council herself, was disappointed that council didn't follow the committee's recommendation when it filled the vacant seat of the late Lou Rotunno on Tuesday.
The Democrat Committee had endorsed Tom Hall, a retired school teacher and city employee who unsuccessfully ran for a city council post last year, for the two-year appointment.
Councilmen Bob Lucas and Fred Hoffman, however, chose businessman Darin Flower, also a Democrat, for the post in a 2-1 vote, picking him from a list of 16 applicants.
Outrakis cast the dissenting vote, saying she was supporting the Democrat Committee's nominee.
Another seat
Council has another two-year seat to fill to replace the late George Gulla, who died earlier this month.
Hoffman, council president, said anyone interested in the Gulla seat should submit a letter of interest to the city clerk by Feb. 6.
The 15 candidates remaining from the Rotunno seat all said they want to be considered for the Gulla post and won't have to be interviewed again, Hoffman said.
Any new applicants will be interviewed Feb. 9, and council will have a special meeting immediately after those interviews to make the appointment.
Outrakis initially said the Democrat Committee would be sending council a letter with another recommendation, but she said Wednesday that probably won't happen, based on how the committee's recommended candidate fared last time.
Meanwhile, Flower was to take his oath of office today in city hall, and he will play a role in selecting the fifth council member.
The appointee must have at least a 3-1 affirmative vote to get the job. Should council split 2-2 on one or more candidates and be unable to reach a 3-1 vote, Mayor David O. Ryan would have the duty of casting the deciding vote.
gwin@vindy.com