Council to appoint replacement for Mayor Cockrell’s now-vacant seat pending November Special Election; Sealock named vice mayor; and Rev. James Kilby’s life honored

At a “Special Meeting” called for 6 p.m. Monday, January 9, prior to a scheduled work session, the newly aligned Front Royal Town Council unanimously voted to proceed toward appointment, tentatively by month’s end, of a replacement to fill now Mayor Lori Athey Cockrell’s vacant council seat. The appointment would hold until a special election to fill the balance of the vacant seat’s term to be held this coming November in conjunction with the next scheduled General Election. Town citizens interested in applying for the vacant seat have until the close of the business day on January 13th to file applications.

With Bruce Rappaport and Josh Ingram seated replacing Letasha Thompson and Gary Gillispie neither of whom ran for re-election, council also unanimously voted to not ask the court to call the Special Election prior to the General Election in order to save an estimated $27,000 in election costs the Town would have to unilaterally fund. Relative costs were estimated at $30,000 to fund a stand-alone Special Election to allow town voters to immediately fill the vacancy versus $3,000 to tie that election to the next scheduled General Election. Council was unanimous in its decision to pursue the more frugal path.

The new council and mayor prepare to tackle business heading into the new year. From left around the table are Town Attorney George Sonnett, Council members Skip Rogers, Bruce Rappaport, Mayor Cockrell, Amber Morris, Josh Ingram, Wayne Sealock, and Council Clerk Tina Presley. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

That taken care of, Mayor Cockrell called for nominations or a motion to appoint a vice-mayor, her former position prior to her unopposed run to succeed Chris Holloway as mayor last November. In response to that call Councilman Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Amber Morris, to appoint Wayne Sealock to the backup meeting chair’s position for a term to end December 31, 2024. A roll-call vote reached Sealock at 4-0 in his favor, leading him to add a “Yes, I guess” vote to make his election unanimous.

Council then approved maintaining its meeting order of business as is. That vote on a motion by Morris, seconded by Sealock, also passed unanimously. Morris called the existing order of business “well-constructed”.

Rev. James Kilby, standing left, at a community meeting in recent years. His lifelong contributions to his community will not soon be forgotten.

In a final action added to the Special Meeting agenda, on a motion by Amber Morris, seconded by Skip Rogers, council unanimously approved a Proclamation celebrating the life of Reverend James Kilby on January 10, 2023, to coincide with Reverend Kilby’s funeral being held today. And following that acknowledgement of a man so pivotal to the life and history of this town and community (see Proclamation), Mayor Cockrell adjourned council’s Special Meeting of January 9, 2023.

Council then convened into a scheduled work session on a variety of topics including the SEESUU appeal of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) denial of a request to demolish a portion of the old Murphy Theater building at 131 East Main Street (related story coming). Watch the Town video of both the special meeting and work session.