Stringfellow Choice for Council Vacancy
Stringfellow, 20 years of age and a sophomore at Lock Haven University, will be sworn into office at council’s next meeting set for May 18.
Her selection at Monday night’s council meeting ended the domino effect caused when Vilello resigned after the first of the year to accept a position with the Gov. Tom Wolf administration in Harrisburg. Council member Jonathan Bravard subsequently was selected by council to finish out the final year of what would have been the final term of Vilello’s tenure as mayor.
It took two votes before Stringfellow was selected over two other vacancy candidates, Republican Doug Byerly and Democrat Matthew Rodgers. Ultimately council adhered to the past city tradition of naming replacements with the same party affiliation as the departed elected representative.
Republican Rick Conklin nominated and Democrat Steve Stevenson seconded Stringfellow; with Bravard they gave her three votes but council members Bill Baney, Machell Alexander-Bressler and Ted Forbes voted no.
The name of Byerly was then presented but that vote also ended 3-3, Democrats Baney, Stevenson and Bravard voting no.
Later Baney unsuccessfully moved to get Rodgers’ name on the floor but that failed for lack of a second. After a break Baney said he would nominate Stringfellow and this time her candidacy passed on a 4-2 vote, Forbes and Alexander-Bressler voting no.
Stringfellow, involved this week in finals at Lock Haven University, said she is anxious to begin her council duties. She lauded the influence of her uncle/ex-Mayor Vilello in developing her interest in municipal affairs.
Both Stringfellow and Byerly are on the municipal ballot this year seeking full terms on council.
