Nelsonville City Council members appointed Anita Mondo at last night's city council meeting to fill the open spot left by Charlie Pancake. The Council called an executive session that lasted almost an hour in which they interviewed two candidates for the position.
Mondo, who has been a Nelsonville resident since May 1999, is the political science department administrator for Ohio University.
She said she pursued the council position because she had enjoyed taking part in previous community activities, such as the Parade of the Hills, and wanted to take a more active role.
Councilman Leonard Bentley said Mondo was chosen based on her educational background and experience.
"If anybody is qualified for a city council position, it would be someone who is the head of the political science department at a major university," Bentley said.
The other candidate, Matthew Phillips, will run as a write-in candidate in the fall election.
Pancake, 77, was forced to leave his term early because of health troubles. He resigned at the end of July at the recommendation of his cardiologist.
Pancake would not disclose details of his condition. He was able to serve a year-and-a-half of his four-year term. He was elected in 2001, and his term does not expire until December 2005.
"Regretfully, I felt it was in everybody's best interest if I resign at this point," Pancake said.
Because of Pancake's health condition, he said he could not fulfill the duties of his job.
"If I can't do my job 100 percent, I best get the hell out," he said. "I didn't want to resign. There are a lot of things in motion I'd like to be a part of."
Even though he served only a short time, council members said they would remember Pancake.
"I enjoyed serving with Charlie," Bentley said. "He's a very intelligent man. He did a lot of research. He actually knew what he was talking about before he got in (to a meeting)."
Councilman Bill Wend served with Pancake on the finance committee and the planning and development committee.
"He's very outspoken, very opinionated," he said.
Pancake said he wanted people to know he has not gone anywhere.
"I ain't dead. I'll be in the background keeping my eye on things," Pancake said.
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by Ryan Cook
