Marion plans to fill council vacancy by appointment

MARION - With Nick AbouAssaly taking the helm as mayor beginning Jan. 1, the City Council is looking to fill his soon-to-be empty seat on the council by appointment.

AbouAssaly, who was in the middle of his four-year term representing Ward 4, was elected mayor in November after beating out opponent Ward 2 council member Joe Spinks and former Mayor John Nieland.

Filling vacated seats by appointment has been past practice in Marion, said City Manager Lon Pluckhahn.

While AbouAssaly will remain in his council seat until he assumes office Jan. 1, the City Clerk's Office has begun accepting applications to fill the seat. Whoever is appointed by the council will serve out the remaining two years of AbouAssaly's term.

Pluckhahn said the clerk's office hasn't received any applications for the position yet. To be eligible, candidates must be registered voters in Marion and live within Ward 4, which is on the north and northwest side. Those interested in applying should submit a resume and letter of application. Applications are due by noon Dec. 10.

The City Council expects to interview candidates and make a decision Dec. 17.

Under Iowa code, voters can gather signatures to petition the city clerk to have the vacancy filled by a special election. The petition would have to be submitted within 14 days of the appointment.

AbouAssaly received his start on the City Council when he was appointed in June 2013 to fill a six-month vacancy in Ward 4. He was then re-elected to the position that November.