Council moves to fill vacant seat

By: Scott Lamar | Inside NoVA
Published: November 19, 2009

The Manassas Park City Council voted Tuesday to start the process to replace former Councilman Peter Farrell who resigned his seat Friday.

The first steps include petitioning Prince William Circuit Court to allow a special election to coincide with next year's general election in November, and to advertise the council's intent to appoint someone to temporarily fill the seat, said Vice Mayor Bryan E. Polk.

Whoever is elected in the special election will fill the seat for the remainder of the term which ends in 2012, said City Attorney Dean H. Crowhurst.

The council has 45 days from the date of the resignation to fill the vacant seat, Crowhurst said.

People who wish to serve on the council can submit their resumes to the clerks office by 4 p.m. on Dec. 3, Polk said.

The application process will include written questions and each applicant will have the opportunity to interview before the council, Polk said.

"Traditionally what we have done, so that we're consistent across all applicants, is to organize a set of questions ahead of time so that we can get a sense of organized thought that an applicant might take -- how they approach certain problems," Polk said.

Applicants may e-mail their resumes to the Manassas Park City Clerk at l.conner@manasssas parkva.gov, or drop them off at Manassas Park City Hall at One Park Center Court.

Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.