Elsmere City Council swore in Andrew Myatt as its newest council member at a special meeting on June 18.
The council voted 3-1 in favor of Myatt after conducting interviews in executive session. Other candidates for the position included Stephanie Treanor, Gary Treadway and Rusty C. Smith III. Councilmember Maria Vogt cast the sole vote for Treanor. Councilmember Gloria Grubbs, as leader of the council, abstained and went along with the majority vote.
The meeting was held one week following the Elsmere council’s announcement to advertise the opening, which was left vacant when former member Serena Owen resigned on June 4.
Read the back story about Serena Owen and Elsmere City Council
Myatt previously ran as a write-in candidate for the council election. Along with Eric Bunzow, he was one of the more vocal critics of Owen regarding her absenteeism at council meetings.
Mayor Marty Lenhof swore in Myatt after the meeting was adjourned.
“I’m just excited to get started, hit the ground running. Just want to be present, be active,” Myatt said. “The city’s progressing in a great way, moving forward. I just want to be a part of that, part of the continuing growth of Elsmere.”
Bunzow questioned the council’s conducting the candidate interviews in closed session.
“Why can’t they interview in front of everyone?” he said prior to the vote. Nevertheless, he offered congratulations to Myatt at the end of the meeting.