Interviews for Ward 5 residents interested in appointment to the City Council seat vacated recently by Dr. Joseph Callahan were conducted last week.
Callahan vacated the seat last November due to an employment opportunity. Resumes and letters of interest for temporary appointment to the seat were accepted by the City Manager’s Office through Dec. 15, 2017. Applicants for the position are Gary Collins, Janice P. Dreiling, Steven C. Staley, Trevor Dorsey, Don Pyles, Nicholas Allgood and Jim Barnes.
“It is wonderful to have seven strong candidates from Ward 5 apply for the vacancy left by Dr. Callahan in his recent move out of town,” said Mayor Dale Copeland. “The interview process was an excellent way to visit and get to know them better, including their thoughts and visions for our community. The council’s decision will be difficult to make with such outstanding people offering their service. This is a tremendous ‘problem’ to have.
“I applaud them for making themselves available, and I look forward to seating one to join us in our quest to continue making Bartlesville a great place to live, work and enjoy.”
Copeland, along with Vice Mayor John J. Kane and Councilors Jim Curd Jr. and Alan Gentges divided into groups and conducted the interviews at City Hall last week. The council is expected to vote on the appointment during a regularly scheduled meeting in February.
The appointment will be effective until November, when all five City Council seats are subject to election.