The Gilberton Borough Council meeting on Wednesday evening led to a new Mayor and other items after the passing of their previous Mayor.
On August 27th, 2020, Gilberton's Mayor Mary Lou Hannon passed away after a short bout with cancer.
The borough was left without a leader and by law, the council had 30 days to appoint a new one.
On Thursday evening, the Council met for their monthly meeting and during new business, determined who their next Mayor will be.
Council President Dan Malloy opened the floor and asked for anyone who was interested. Councilman Bill Hannon immediately motioned for Council Vice President Michael Van Allen to take the job and Councilman Lloyd George seconded the motion.
Gilberton Fire Chief Frank Jackowiak's name was almost mentioned and received a motion from Mark Kiersey, but the motion did not receive a second.
The council continue and offered a vote to all council members on whether to make Van Allen the new Mayor, all members voted for Van Allen, with the new Mayor abstaining from the vote.
Van Allen said later after the meeting, "We are deeply saddened by the death of Mayor Mary Lou Hannon. I'm honored that the borough council felt that I could hold this position and I will try to uphold her [Hannon's] standards and keep paving the path forward the way she has through the years."
Without a judge present, Van Allen's swearing in would be held at a later date.
After the vote, Borough Solicitor Paul Domalakes offered a resolution to the Council to consider to honor the passing of Mayor Hannon. The resolution also recognized December 5th, Hannon's birthday, as Mayor Lou Hannon Day in the borough.
All council members agreed to move forward with the resolution which read:
WHEREAS, Mary Lou Hannon served as the duly elected Mayor of the Borough of Gilberton, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania for over twenty years; and
WHEREAS, Council is desirous of expressing their appreciation for the dedicated, tireless and determined service of Mary Lou Hannon and her unswerving devotion to the betterment of the Borough of Gilberton and its citizens therein; and
WHEREAS, the entire Borough is saddened by the untimely death of Mayor Mary Lou Hannon on August 27th, 2020;
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved this 24th of September 2020, the Gilberton Borough Council recognizes and honors the life and service of Mary Lou Hannon to the Borough of Gilberton and hereby declares the 4th of December, 2020, Mary Lou Hannon Day.
The resolution was unanimously agreed upon.
The next New Business was to advertise to fill Van Allen's vacant council seat.
Next, Councilman Bill Hannon, and Mary Lou's husband, handed a letter to President Malloy submitting his resignation as council member as of the end of the meeting. The remaining council members "regretfully accepted".
Council Member Mark Kiersey offered and accepted the Vice President position.
Council then returned to the issue of empty council seats, since now that have two open seats. Council Member Lloyd George motioned to appoint Christine Antalosky and Barry Brassington to the empty seats.
The motion was carried both accepted the positions.
Both Antalosky and Brassington will be sworn in at a later date.
