The swearing-in of Pottsville City Councilman Mark Atkinson as the city’s new mayor was abruptly postponed on Wednesday following a last-minute court order.
The ceremony, initially scheduled by city officials for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, was halted by an emergency motion filed by Robert E. Weaver Jr., who argued that the city failed to adhere to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act.
The Sunshine Act mandates that government actions involving “official business” be preceded by proper public notice and that meetings where official actions are taken be open to the public. Weaver’s motion, submitted just hours before the scheduled swearing-in, asserted that the city had not met these legal obligations, prompting Schuylkill County Judge Christina Hale to take action.
In her ruling, Judge Hale ordered that the swearing-in ceremony be invalidated, citing the lack of transparency around the meeting and official proceedings. According to the court, the City of Pottsville's decision-making processes surrounding the swearing-in had occurred without the required public notice, effectively preventing residents from observing or participating in the proceedings.
Judge Hale’s decision suspends Atkinson’s official inauguration until further notice, pending a November 6th hearing at the Schuylkill County Courthouse, where the matter will be reviewed in detail.
Atkinson was appointed by City Council following Mayor Dave Clews officially stepping down from the position.