Fairfax Council to Interview Applicants Tonight to Replace Councilman O’Neil

The Fairfax Town Council will interview eight applicants Thursday night during a special meeting to decide who should replace Councilman Ryan O’Neil. 

While O’Neil resigned in February because he moved just outside the town limits, he isn’t the only council member who will create an opening behind the dais.

Councilwoman Pam Hartwell-Herrero said she is planning on resigning from council in June because she is moving. The exact date of her resignation hasn’t been announced, yet, and for now the council will focus on filling its first vacancy.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Fairfax Women’s Club, the council will interview:

• Renee Goddard, 18-year resident, teacher and environmental consultant. She cited the need for youth programs and public transportation to rural areas as key issues.
• Peter Lacques, 14-year resident, attorney, planning commissioner. He listed maintaining service during economic downturns and adapting to climate change as important local issues.
• William Madsen, 17-year resident, firefighter, former planning commissioner. His key issues are financing town improvements and readdressing the Town Center Element of the General Plan.
• Barbara Coler, 17-year resident, air quality program manager, former planning commissioner. She cited the town’s revenue challenges and maintaining the small-town quality of life as important issues.
• Raymond Burgarella, 38-year resident, retired consultant. Addressing the town’s infrastructure and developing a 5-to-10-year plan are his top priorities.
• Christopher Lang, 41-year resident, landscape gardener. He wants a sustainable, transparent budget and to improve the public’s view of the town staff.
• Bernardo Del Santo, 50-year resident, retired from law enforcement. Maintaining services despite revenue shortfalls and traffic issues are his priorities.
• Mirza Inayat Khan, 7-year resident, teacher. Supporting a family-friendly community and generating safe and environmental transportation are his listed concerns.

The Fairfax council hasn’t decided how long the replacement’s term should run. O’Neil’s term runs until November 2015. 

Fairfax Town Clerk Judy Anderson told Patch the council will select which person to appoint to the council at its April 3 meeting.

Within two weeks of O’Neil’s resignation, San Anselmo councilwoman Lori Lopin announced she was resigning due to family and health issues.

The San Anselmo council opted to appoint a replacement for Lopin until November, when the open seat will be place on the ballot.

The San Anselmo council will interview council applicants on April 9. 

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