Town Council seems to be in no hurry to fill Bébhinn Egger’s seat

Eight candidate interviews and multiple closed meetings have transpired, but the Front Royal Town has failed to fill this seat, vacated by Bébhinn Egger in June. File Photo/Roger Bianchini

Despite the fact that the Front Royal Town Council has met behind closed doors on several occasions to “discuss, consider and interview prospective candidates for appointment to fill the vacancy on Town Council occasioned by the resignation of former Town Council Member Bébhinn Egger”, according to Monday night’s agenda, the panel has failed to appoint anyone.

Ms. Egger, who was elected in November 2014 to a term that expires Dec. 21, 2018, announced earlier this spring that she would resign to get married and move to Maryland. Her resignation became effective July 1.

A total of eight candidates have interviewed for the position:

Mary Brand: She is a homemaker and former teacher who volunteers at the Front Royal Pregnancy Center. She has five children ranging in age from 9-1. Mrs. Brand says she was twice encouraged to run by a friend.

Kenneth Dameron: A 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.

Edwin Henry: He is completing an online degree in marketing this year. Henry saw the vacancy announcement on Facebook and applied because he feels the Town is “moving in the right direction” and he wants to see that continue while “keeping taxes low and getting the biggest bang for the buck”.

Michael McCool: He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has lived in Front Royal and operated a successful business for nearly 40 years. The owner of National Media Services, McCool has served as a former chairman of the Front Royal Board of Zoning Appeals and served on the Front Royal Planning Commission. He ran for Town Council in November, 2016, coming in fourth in a race for three open seats.

Tim Ratigan: A U.S. Navy veteran who works as a reporter for the Warren Report.

Letasha Thompson: She is a Sales Administrator with marketing experience at the Trex Co. in Frederick County, VA. She volunteers in the community and is a member of the United Way of Northern Shenandoah’s Society of Emerging Leaders.

Tamara Yager: Declined to speak. No information available.

Connolly Confused?

Though it was on Monday evening’s agenda to appoint a new member to the vacant seat, John Connolly made a motion to postpone a vote, which was quickly seconded by William Sealock and agreed to by the rest of the panel. Connolly said “we have had quite a few really qualified candidates come forward, we’ve also had some council members who were out on vacation through out this process, so in the interest of giving adequate time to make their consideration, to be fair to all the candidates, do you want us to move this vote back and we’re gonna have to rely on our Mayor to find a solution for us to get the vote in before our 45 day time expires…”

However, official meeting minutes contradict Connolly’s assertion that some Council members were on vacation. All members were present at the July 10 meeting and at the July 17 work session, only Councilman Chris Morrison was absent, but participated in the interviews by telephone.

Eight prospective candidates interviewed and the lack of a decision brings the Town closer to the 45-day deadline when, by law, the seat must be filled by the council or the circuit court judge will appoint someone to fill the position.