Nagy chosen as replacement for Babyak on White Oak council
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Tensions were high among three White Oak councilmen Monday night as a result of a disagreement over how a new council appointee should have been chosen.
Council unanimously voted to accept the resignation of longtime Councilman Edward G. Babyak, who was absent, moments after Monday’s meeting was called to order.
Council President Chuck Davis said he received Babyak’s letter of resignation moments before the regular meeting began and he was sad to read it.
“Fellow members of White Oak Borough Council it is with a great deal of personal thought and discussions with friends and family that I have decided to submit my resignation effective immediately from my position as council member for the Borough of White Oak as I can no longer fulfill the necessary commitments,” Babyak wrote in a letter dated Oct. 19.
Seconds after Babyak’s resignation was accepted and without Council President Davis asking for or entertaining nominations from other council members, Councilman Lou Bender made a motion “to appoint Joe Nagy to fill the vacancy of Mr. Babyak.”
Davis immediately asked for a second, which was given by Opferman. A vote was never taken to nominate Nagy prior to the vote to appoint him.
During discussion on the motion, Councilman Ken Robb said in the past, council had asked for applications and letters of interest from borough residents willing to fill a vacancy and conducted interviews with interested applicants prior to council making nominations or taking a vote to appoint.
Robb, who is council vice president, said he and Davis should have interviewed interested candidates.
Davis then told Robb there was a motion and second on the floor, which meant a vote needed to be taken.
Bender, Davis and Councilwoman Julie Opferman voted in favor of appointing Nagy to fill the seat. Robb and Councilman George Pambacas each cast dissenting votes. Councilman George Dillinger was absent.
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