Amy S. Keller, who narrowly edged out her opponent to become the sole Democrat on Lebanon City Council in 2019, resigned her seat late last month after moving from the city.
During a special meeting Oct. 22, the remaining council members – all Republicans – voted unanimously to fill her seat with Republican Daniel K. Bost, who ran unsuccessfully last year seeking a full term as Lebanon County Recorder of Deeds.
That means council no longer has any Democratic representation, however no Democrats were said to have applied for the position.
Bost was sworn into office Monday by Mayor Sherry Capello. Capello, also a Republican, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Keller had little to say about her replacement.
“We have known Dan for years through our family friends Ed and Maddy Lynch,” she told LebTown on Tuesday. “He is a decent choice and will serve the city well.”
Keller initially learned she had lost her bid for council in November 2019 when the first tally showed her trailing Republican opponent Andrew Zidik by 10 votes. However, after a manual count of the ballots, she ended up winning the race 1,308 to 1,305 – a three vote margin.
She submitted her resignation, effective Sept. 22, after moving out of the city.
Ed Lynch, who chairs the Lebanon County Republican Committee, said Bost “is an excellent choice to fill the vacancy on the Lebanon City Council.”
“Dan’s experience in Lebanon County government provides him with invaluable knowledge and insight,” Lynch said. “He will be an asset to the City of Lebanon and its residents.”
Lynch noted that Bost was one of three candidates interviewed by council for the seat earlier this month, all of whom were Republicans.
“I’m not sure how council could have filled it with a Democrat when no Democrat applied for the seat,” he said.
Lynch’s counterpart, Lebanon County Democratic Committee chairman Dan Sidelnick, said Tuesday he does “not have any comment” on council’s selection. He said he does not know Bost.
Bost has worked for 20 years a mortgage loan officer. He was appointed as Lebanon County Recorder of Deeds in 2018 – filling the unexpired term of Donna Lutz, who retired – but lost the seat after falling in the 2019 Primary Election to Dawn M. Blauch.
After his selection to council was announced during a Zoom session on Oct. 22, Bost said, “I am thrilled to be a part of the team. Council has developed a solid foundation with the help of the mayor, and I am looking to build on what they’ve already established. I plan on being very quiet, and listening.”
In response to a question from the community, councilman Richard Wertz – who has held a seat since 2000 – and longtime city clerk Cheryl Gibson said this is, to their knowledge, the first time council has been entirely made up of Republicans.
“It’s always been one Democrat, and on occasion two,” Wertz said.
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