Tyrone Borough is seeking candidates to fill an open seat on borough council.
The vacancy occurred earlier this month when Borough Manager Sharon Dannaway left her council seat. Dannaway resigned just prior to her appointment as borough manager. She had taken a leave of absence from her council position in January to serve as interim borough manager. Dannaway was in her second term as a council person when she received the interim manager’s appointment. Dannaway’s appointment as permanent borough manager came more than a year after former manager Nathan George had been fired by the borough.
The term for her former council seat is scheduled to run until the first Monday in January 2008. However, the person appointed to Dannaway’s former council slot will be required to run for election if they desire to continue in the position to the conclusion of the term. The borough’s home rule charter explains under section 41.3-307 that appointed council members have to run for “reelection” in the next general municipal election.
By way of an example, late last year, councilman J.R. Watson resigned and Don Boytim was appointed to fill his seat. Boytim then decided to run in the May primary for a two-year term to complete Watson’s unexpired term. Boytim advanced and is on the November ballot.
The borough’s charter lists qualifications to be a member of council. It notes a member has to be a U.S. citizen and a registered voter in the borough during candidacy and during the term of office.
The borough recently advertised the vacancy and is seeking “any qualified borough resident” who wants to be considered for the office. The borough is asking interested candidates to submit a letter of interest to the borough secretary by the end of the day on Friday, Aug. 19.
The borough said public interviews for all qualified candidates and a possible appointment are scheduled for the Sept. 12 council meeting.
