Craig Smith is replaced by Gary Dailey to fill the Republican vacancy that will expire next year.
By: Steve Bates
STOCKTON The Borough Council has a full slate of council members again.
The council voted 4-0 Monday to appoint Gary Dailey to fill a Republican vacancy that will expire in 2002. Councilman Christopher Smith was not at the meeting.
Mr. Dailey replaces Craig Smith, who resigned Nov. 26 to take a deputy attorney general position with the state.
The newest addition to council was sworn immediately after being voted in and took a seat next to his fellow council members amid a round of applause.
The council chose Mr. Dailey from a pool of three potential Republican applicants, which included David Pasicznyk and Donald Vandegrift. The all-Democrat council had to appoint a Republican to the empty seat because it had been held by a Republican.
Mr. Dailey was chosen primarily for his previous experience on the school board, said Councilwoman Joan Haberle. She said the council is in need of a member who is familiar with education issues, including budget matters.
The new councilman is 43 and works as a mechanical designer. He has lived in the borough 18 years and didn’t have much to say about the experience after his first council meeting had ended.
"I’m just lucky to have been chosen," he said.
Mr. Dailey said Stockton is in the midst of improving its sewer system, and he feels that will probably be the biggest issue he will have to deal with during his term.
"It’s a large-dollar issue," he said.
After the new year, Mr. Dailey will be joined on council by fellow Republican Andrew Giannattasio. The pair will comprise the GOP minority on the borough’s governing body.