Since the last meeting of the Rye City Council two weeks ago, the number of potential temporary appointees has gone from one to three. Julia Killian and Charmian Neary came forward during the last meeting and shortly after, Jason Mehler put his name into consideration as well.
A decision about the seat, vacated when former Councilmember Suzanna Keith relocated to Texas with her family, could be made at tonight's regular council meeting.
When Mayor Doug French and members of the council were asked at the last meeting by former school board member Bob Zahm and potential appointee Neary whether the seat necessarily had to be filled in light of the coming election for the seat and whether there was a consensus among to do so, Councilmember Catherine Parker was the only one among her peers to express hesitation about filling the seat.
It seemed there was a numerical quorum weighted toward filling Keith's seat that night. But perhaps in deference to the persuasiveness of Zahm's argument and lone Democrat Parker's concern about the appearance of partisanship, along in turn with Charmian Neary's unexpected request for consideration, a vote on the appointment was held over until tonight.
Of the three- Killian, Mehler and Neary- only Neary has pledged not to seek the council seat during the November election. .
