Former Common Councilor Sergio Cornelio was appointed by the City Council to fill the vacancy as Assistant City Clerk in the City Clerk’s office. Cornelio beat out two other finalist candidates, including David Floor and Gwen Whelton.
The three were put forward by the Council’s Committee on Legislative Affairs as the finalists out of six candidates that were interviewed in executive session by the Committee last week. All three were given an opportunity to make a short three-minute statement to the full council prior to the Council vote.
During his brief remarks to the Council, Cornelio referred to his past service as an elected official in the prior form of government as having “set me apart” from her candidates.
Prior to the vote, Councilor Rosa DiFlorio commented that the Council was fortunate to have three very well qualified candidates and noted that decisions like these are often among the hardest. “Please whatever we do, don’t take it personally,” DiFlorio told the three candidates.
In the initial vote of the Council, Corn
elio received six votes, Flood who is a longtime volunteer on city boards and committees received four votes and Whelton received one. Following the initial balloting, Councilor Hanlon moved that the vote be amended to reflect a unanimous decision in favor of Cornelio and that motion carried.
Following the vote, Cornelio again addressed the Council and promised to his best to show Councilors that they made the right choice and also referred to the high qualifications of the other candidates.