Palm Bay councilman Randy Foster still on respirator, but improving in ICU after coma
Palm Bay City Councilman Randy Foster remains on a respirator in intensive care after he was hospitalized March 2 and fell into a diabetic coma, but his medical condition continues to improve, said his sister, Vicky Foster.
“He’s doing much better. He’s sitting up, and he’s awake. His eyes are open," Foster said.
"He does still have the respirator helping him breathe, but he’s doing a lot better. He’s pulling through. He’s fighting," she said.
Foster, 59, who has held the City Council Seat 3 post since November 2020, was transported by medical helicopter to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne after falling ill.
More:Palm Bay council member Randy Foster hospitalized amid search for Filiberto's replacement
More:Former Palm Bay City Councilman Peter Filiberto sentenced to probation in plea offer
City Council down two members
On Thursday, Palm Bay's five-member City Council met as a three-member body. Foster was absent — and former councilman Peter Filiberto resigned Feb. 17 on the heels of his arrest on drug and DUI charges stemming from a traffic stop.
Last week, in a plea offer, Filiberto was sentenced to two years of supervised probation after pleading no contest to possession of cocaine and DUI.
During Thursday's meeting, Mayor Rob Medina asked Palm Bay residents to continue to keep Foster's health in their thoughts and prayers.
“Continue to pray. I can tell you that we have prayed, and we’ll continue to pray,” Medina told the audience.
17 applicants vie to replace Filiberto
As of Thursday afternoon, a growing pool of 18 people had applied to try to replace Filiberto in the vacant Seat 5 post.
City Hall officials will accept applications through 5 p.m. March 29, and information is available on the city website.
The City Council will rank the applicants on April 6. Then the top five candidates will be re-ranked during an April 13 special meeting, where council members will appoint Filiberto's replacement.
Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1
Support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Palm Bay councilman Randy Foster still on respirator, improving in ICU
