Published: August 01, 2007 11:59 am      

Eleven willing to fill upcoming vacancy on City Council

CUMBERLAND - A former candidate for the House of Delegates, another for City Council and an assistant public defender are three of 11 individuals looking to become the next city councilman.

John Harvey, who works in the Allegany County's Public Defenders Office, and Brian Grim, who unsuccessfully ran against Delegate LeRoy Myers for the House in 2006, both confirmed Tuesday that they have submitted a letter of interest to fulfill the term that will be vacant when Councilman Terry Rephann resigns.

Harvey, a native of Westernport, moved from the area for 35 years and worked in the Baltimore City Public Defenders Office but has lived in the city since June 2005. Becoming a councilman, he said, is a way to "put something back in the town."

"A fresh perspective, outside eyes, the ability to listen and to communicate as well," he said as to what he'd bring to the table. "There's always a little bit of concern about an outsider. But sometimes, that can be an advantage."

Grim said he's most interested in improving the area.

"I'm interested in this community and I certainly want to make a difference in the community," Grim said. "I believe the City Council is the way to do so."

Jim Combs, who ran for a council seat in 2004 and 2006, shared his letter of interest with the Times-News. In the last election, he notes, he came in third, only 87 votes behind Councilman Pete Elliott.

"Over the last several weeks I have been contacted by many of those citizens who feel that I, as the individual who received the next highest vote in the last two elections, should be the individual to fill this vacancy," he wrote. "I feel that my life experiences prepare me to bring new views and challenging ideas to the City Council."

City Clerk Sharon Clark said she received three letters Tuesday, the last day for residents to state their intent.

The city, however, has not released any names.

City Administrator Jeff Repp said the names would not be released until a decision has been made by the mayor and council. Officials are meeting this morning in closed session where discussion about personnel is on the agenda.

It's up to council, he added, to determine whether all the names or only those the body intends to interview for the position will be announced.

Repp said there's nothing in the city's charter outlining the process of releasing names.

"A lot will be clarified after Wednesday morning," he said.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old and have resided in the city for one year.

Rephann, who has not submitted an official letter of resignation to the mayor and council, announced in June his intent. Currently the director of institutional research at Allegany College of Maryland, he'll leave that position in mid-August and become a regional economist for the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

The city charter gives council 60 days after an official resignation to fill the vacancy by way of a vote.

First elected in 2000, Rephann's term expires Jan. 5, 2009.

The newest member of council will fill the seat until then. If that person wishes to maintain the seat beyond then, he must file as a candidate by Dec. 3, 2007.

Maryland's primary election will be held Feb. 12, 2008, with the general nearly nine months later on Nov. 4.

Maria Smith can be reached at msmith@times-news.com.