The Common Council, forced since Jan. 1 to fill vacancies, will fill two more this month — the posts of 3rd Ward councilman and city clerk.
At a special meeting Tuesday night, the council will interview two candidates for the council seat vacated this week by Republican Dirk Myers. Myers, the former manager of the Bow Tie Cinemas in Schenectady — who was appointed himself on Jan. 1 when that seat first became vacant — resigned last month when he was promoted director of Bow Tie’s West Coast Operations and reassigned to Aspen, Colo.
The council will interview Republican John H. Blackmon of East Boulevard, a former candidate for supervisor in that ward, and Democrat Mark Albanese, also of East Boulevard and a candidate last year for mayor. Council leaders are not ruling out an appointment that night.
On April 14, the council will convene again to interview six candidates for clerk.
The post was vacated in early February when Clerk Brenda Pedrick resigned suddenly after being asked to decide whether former Councilman Ray Hindes Jr., D-6th Ward, should be allowed to rescind his January resignation letter.
When Pedrick resigned, the council voted to block Hindes’ from returning to office and shortly thereafter appointed Democrat Jean Chain to fill the seat.
City officials said 34 people applied for the clerk’s post.
Councilwoman Robin Wentworth, D-1st Ward, said Friday that an appointment could be made on April 14 if the council reaches a consensus on one of the prospects. “It’s important that everyone feel comfortable,” she said.
Though Wentworth said she is reserving judgment on the six candidates until the interviews are completed, Councilman James Robinson said several of the contenders have outstanding resumes.
An appointment, Robinson said, could be “pretty quick, if we agree.”
Blackmon, a graduate of Johnstown High School and Arizona State University, is a retired Verizon economist. He worked for the company for 28 years, performing economic growth analyses in a number of states and communities. He is a member of the Fulton County Planning Board and the city Historic District Review Board.
Albanese, a graduate of Gloversville High School, is the owner of the Albanese Insurance Agency, located on East State Street Extension.
Categories: Schenectady County
