By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., was elected Olean Common Council Tuesday after then-president John Crawford, D-Ward 5, resigned the post.
Robinson, an Independent, was elected on a 4-3 vote over Alderwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4.
He is the first Black person to be elected Olean Common Council president.
Supporting Robinson were Crawford, Alderwoman Jennifer Forney, R-Ward 3, and newly confirmed Alderman Joe Keary, R-Ward 2. McCall’s support came from Alderman Lawrence Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1 and Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7.
Moments earlier, Mayor Bill Aiello asked the aldermen to confirm Keary, the Republican and Conservative candidate to fill the seat in the November election. Keary was confirmed unanimously.
The mayor said Democratic candidate Rychelle Wessman had withdrawn from the race even though her name remains on the ballot.
Crawford noted that ordinarily the council would not confirm a mayoral appointment to fill a vacancy if there were two candidates running for the post in November.
With Wessman’s decision not to campaign, the council decided to confirm the appointment of Keary.
The Ward 2 seat became vacant when former Alderman Jason Panus resigned earlier this year.
As soon as Keary signed some paperwork and had been welcomed as the council’s newest member, Crawford dropped his news: He has a new job and will be unable to continue to serve as common council president. He will continue to serve his constituents through the rest of this year. He plans to attend council meetings via the internet.
Crawford has served as council president for seven of his nine years as Ward 5 alderman.
Crawford passed the gavel to Robinson and the two shook hands before Robinson sat down in the president’s seat in the council chambers.
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