Pomeroy Mayor Jackie Welker issued the oath of office to newly appointed council member Luke Ortman during Monday evening’s Pomeroy Council meeting.

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POMEROY — Luke Ortman was appointed to the vacant seat on Pomeroy Village Council during Monday night’s regular meeting.

Ortman, along with Bryan Shank and Nancy Schartiger, spoke before council during the meeting with regard to the reasons they should be selected to fill the vacant seat on council.

Ortman is the Executive Director of the Meigs County Chamber of Commerce and also the Tourism Director for Meigs County. He spoke about the work he has done with the agencies and to benefit the area.

Shank stated that he had previously served two four-year terms of council and was interested in filling the vacancy.

Schartiger described herself as an 11-year resident of Pomeroy who wanted to help the village move forward.

Following each of the individuals turn to speak council members were given the opportunity to ask questions. Some questions asked included experience with grant work and potential conflicts which may arise in filling duties of a council member.

Council member Ruth Spaun then made a motion to appoint Shank to the seat, with a second on the motion by Vic Young. Spaun and Young voted yes, with council members Robert Payne, Dru Reed and Phil Ohlinger voting no.

Reed then made the motion to appoint Ortman, with a second on the motion by Payne. Ortman was appointed by a 3-2 vote, with Payne, Reed, and Ohlinger voting yes.

Ortman was then issued the oath of office by acting Mayor Jackie Welker.

After filling the vacancy, the position of President of Council was filled. Payne nominated Spaun to serve as president, with a second by Reed. Spaun was elected president by a 5-0 vote.

The open seat was held by Welker who had served as President of Council, leaving not only the vacant seat on council, but the vacancy in the president position.

Welker is now acting mayor following the resignation of former Mayor Mary McAngus. McAngus’ resignation was accepted during the Feb. 11 regular meeting of council.

More on Monday’s council meeting will appear in the Thursday edition of The Daily Sentinel.