Front Royal Town Council interviews candidates to fill Egger’s vacated seat behind closed doors

Now that Bébhinn Egger has moved out of state, the process of filling her council seat is underway. File photo/Roger Bianchini

FRONT ROYAL – Members of the Front Royal Town Council met in closed session Monday night, an hour before the regular meeting, to interview four prospective candidates to fill the vacancy on the panel created when Councilwoman Bébhinn Egger resigned to get married and move out of state.

The Royal Examiner requested a list of the applicants, along with their resumes on July 6, but the paper’s request was denied.

Clerk of Council Jennifer Berry stated in an email, “There are 8 applicants and they will be interviewed in the coming two weeks.  The Town does not release applicant names or resumes.”

Tim Ratigan, applicant for vacant Front Royal Town Council seat. Facebook photo.

The Royal Examiner contends that the public has an interest in knowing who might be chosen to represent the constituents and that the process should be as visible as possible.  During the election process, after all, a candidate’s qualifications, background, and experience are shared—and sometimes over-shared—from the time a candidate declares until Election Day.

Despite the fact that the prospective candidate names and credentials were withheld, the Royal Examiner did speak to the four hopefuls as they arrived at the Warren County Government Center.  The first two spoke briefly with us, the final two did not.

Town Council hopeful Kenneth Dameron Photo/Norma Jean Shaw

Tim Ratigan:  A U.S. Navy veteran who works as a reporter for the Warren Report, he applied to fill the seat for the remainder of Hollis Tharpe’s term when Tharpe became mayor. Christopher Morrison was appointed to fill that seat.

Kenneth Dameron: Front Royal native, retired Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with experience in Contract Administration and Accounting.  He said that he applied for the vacant seat because he believed he could “make a positive difference.”

Gary Gillespie:  Declined to speak.  No information available.

Tamara Yager:  Declined to speak. No information available.

Council reconvened in closed session at the end of the regular meeting and is expected to interview four more candidates later this month.