By By Mary-Allison Lancaster-Managing editor
East Brewton City Council members and Mayor Terry Clark declared Place 1 a vacant seat during Monday evening's regular session. The declaration came after the passing of long term Councilman Huey Johnson. The vote received a unanimous vote.
Johnson passed away on April 19 after an extended illness. Johnson had served in the Place 1 seat since 1992.
According to the bylaws, council members must first declare a vacant seat before proceeding to the next step.
Vacancies can be filled at the next regularly scheduled council session, or any subsequent meeting of the council. A vote of three members constitutes a majority vote.
The new council member will hold office for the unexpired term. As a result of the bylaws, the vacancy cannot be filled at the same meeting a vacancy was declared. The vacant seat must be filled immediately to prevent the crippling effect of not having a quorum to do business."
If the vacancy is not filled within 60 days, each member and the mayor must submit a name to the governor for appointment. However, council members and Mayor Clark feel certain the vacant seat will be filled as soon as possible.
Mayor Clark was tight lipped on potential candidates, and no information was provided as to who may fill the vacant Place 1 seat.
The next regular meeting will be held on May 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the East Brewton City Hall.