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With a 4-2 vote Thursday, the City Council approved the appointments of Ken Chapman and Matthew Bieniek, each to terms expiring in June 2011, and Robert Rein to a term that expires in June 2008.
The appointments matched recommendations made by a selection committee that interviewed all 13 applicants. The committee consisted of the three council members who will remain in office in January, with the seating of a new council: Joe Johnson, Gwyn Foro and John Longabaugh.
Chapman is a retired school-district superintendent, Bieniek is a teacher in the Peoria Unified School District and Rein is a Realtor. None have served before on a city board or commission.
Outgoing Councilman Gary “Doc” Sullivan applied for one of the vacancies, but failed to gain a recommendation. While telling the three men it was “nothing personal,” he voted against their appointments.
“I know at least two or three people that were interviewed that have far, far superior qualifications,” Sullivan said.
Mayor Joan Shafer gave the second “no” vote. The lame-duck mayor said she did so because she wanted to leave the decision up to the new council.
Councilman Danny Arismendez abstained from the vote, stating he was not sure whether outgoing council members should have a say in the decision. But he also said putting the issue off was not fair to the recommended candidates who showed up and interviewed for the spots.
Foro defended the selections made by the committee and argued that postponing the appointments would achieve nothing.
“We based our decision on their answers on questions . . . I think we made a very accurate and appropriate decision,” Foro said.
After Thursday’s meeting, all three men said they were excited to help guide Surprise as it continues to expand at a rapid pace.
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