After no one filed in November to run for a seat up for election this year on the South Palm Beach Town Council, and still no candidate stepped forward when a special second filing period took place in January, it’s now up to the council to appoint someone to the seat.
The council passed a resolution that it would formally accept applications for the seat vacated by the resignation of Council member Robert Gottlieb until Feb. 12. It plans to interview applicants at its Feb. 13 meeting and expects to appoint the new member the same day.
As of Jan. 24, Town Clerk Yude Davenport reported three residents had applied: Elvadianne Culbertson, who resides in the Southgate building; Dr. Jennifer Lesh, of Palm Beach Villas; and Arnelle Ossendryver, also of Southgate.
The council appeared set to make the appointment continue through March 2026; no town election will take place March 19 because no one qualified to run for Gottlieb’s seat or to challenge Council member Raymond McMillan, who thus won another term automatically.
Gottlieb, who had served on the council for 18 years, announced his resignation at the council’s December meeting.
He cited a combination of factors including his health as well as Form 6, which requires elected officials to make a detailed list of their financials, which is then made public.
— Brian Biggane
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