Sean Van Gordon has been selected to serve as interim Mayor of Springfield. He was chosen by fellow city councilors Tuesday in a 4 to 2 vote to finish out the term vacated by Christine Lundberg.
The city charter requires an interim mayor be chosen from members of council, instead of opening it to more applicants or holding a special election. That drew criticism from some residents. Councilor Kori Rodley expressed hope for a change.
“So, we’ve heard the outcry of many Springfield residents around this process,” Rodley said. “And whether we are able to shift the charter as quickly as folks want or we are able to create a better way for us to do this moving forward, I think it is absolutely necessary.”
Van Gordon will serve through 2022. He took the oath of office during the meeting and took over from Councilor Steve Moe who’d been serving in the temporary capacity since the beginning of January. Van Gordon said it means a lot that his fellow councilors have faith in him.
Leonard Stoehr had also been under consideration for the Mayor's position.
The city will now seek a replacement for his council seat representing Ward 1. Leonard Stoehr, who represents Ward 4, had also been under consideration for the Mayor's position.
Lundberg stepped down as mayor last August. The sudden departure came just days before her son was arrested on child sex abuse charges.
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