Former councilwoman Kathy Schaaf among those seeking vacant Erie City Council seat

Democrat Kathy Schaaf declined to seek a second four-year term on Erie City Council in 2021, saying at that time that she was tired of the frequently toxic debate, criticism and character attacks that can accompany local politics.

Nearly two years later, Schaaf is among 20 Erie residents seeking to fill the City Council vacancy created by the sudden resignation of former Council President Liz Allen.

Councilwoman steps down:Liz Allen, citing frustration with politics, colleagues, resigns from Erie City Council

Interested citizens were required to submit a one-page resume along with a cover letter to City Clerk Laurie Watson's office by noon Friday.

Those interested must be at least 18 years old and live in the city of Erie. City Council has until Feb. 18 to appoint someone to serve in Allen's seat through at least Jan. 1, 2024.

City Council President Chuck Nelson said the panel will select the appointee at a special public meeting on Feb. 9 in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, 626 State St.

In-person interviews of several applicants will take place at that meeting, which will be streamed live on the city's Facebook page and/or its YouTube channel.

Schaaf, a teacher, was elected to the seven-member City Council in 2017 as a first-time candidate. She chose not to run for a second term in 2021.

Kevin Flowers:Negativity soured Kathy Schaaf on Erie politics. But she's happy she helped people

Who are the interested applicants?

Besides Schaaf, those who are seeking the vacant seat are

• Cory DiLoreto, adjunct faculty member at Gannon University;

• Susannah Faulkner, director of development at the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network;

• Shari Gross, former director of Erie County government's Department of Human Services;

• Jacob Jones, executive director of Community Access Media;

• Abdalla Kasim, the owner of local security, health care and day care businesses;

• Elspeth Koehle, local organizing specialist for the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO;

• Robert Mahrt, a project manager and financial analyst;

• Michael Marchini, a sales representative for a distributor of hydraulic and pneumatic hoses, fittings and other components;

• Julie Minich, executive director of All Aboard Erie;

• Duryea Paige, a consultant and organizational development manager;

• Scott Pfeifer, also known as "Scotty Freeman," owner of Fat Lenny's ice cream and Hippie and the Hound vapor lounge and smoke shop;

• Richard Polaski, a sales representative/sales manager;

• Armand Rocco, a high school social studies teacher at the Erie School District;

• Patrick Scutella, retired former curator of the Erie Land Lighthouse;

• Roland Slade, a safety coordinator at Wabtec Corp.;

• Cathy Stokes, a mental health counselor;

• John Voli, a legislative assistant for state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, of Millcreek, D-3rd Dist.;

• Tywon Taylor, founder of Career & Dreams Inc., an organization that supports and provides opportunities for inner-city youth in Erie; and

• Roland Witherow, a dispatcher at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center of Erie.

Applicants for the vacant council seat were asked to answer the following three questions:

• What is the greatest skill you would bring to City Council?

• Where do you see the most potential in our city?

• What obstacle would you most like to address?

Nelson said individual council members will each select up to five candidates for in-person interviews after reviewing resumes and applicants' letters. The interviews will take place at City Council's special meeting on Feb. 9.

Those interviewed will be able to make an introductory statement of up to 3 minutes, Nelson said, and will have the opportunity to answer follow-up questions from City Council members.

Following those interviews, City Council will close the meeting with a public vote that selects the appointee, Nelson said.

Allen’s current term will end Jan. 1, 2026. City Council formally accepted Allen's resignation on Jan. 18, and the vacancy must be filled within 30 days of that date, according to City Solicitor Ed Betza.

During the all-Democratic panel's Jan. 4 meeting, Allen abruptly announced that she was stepping down with roughly three years left on her second term, citing frustration with some of her council colleagues and the often toxic climate of local politics.

Allen is a former editor and reporter at the Erie Times-News and was first elected to City Council in 2017. She was re-elected in 2021.

Betza said Allen's seat must also be placed on the ballot for May's municipal primary for a two-year term. The candidate who wins the November election for the two-year seat will serve from Jan. 2, 2024, until the term ends on Jan. 1, 2026, Betza said.

City Council's appointee can seek election to the two-year term.

City Council last filled a vacancy in January 2020. Former Councilman David Brennan was appointed to the council seat vacated by Cas Kwitowski, who resigned his council seat after being elected city treasurer in November 2019.

Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ETNflowers.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Who's interested in the vacant Erie City Council seat? Here's the list