The vacancy on the Bucoda Town Council has been filled as Bucoda resident John Wood was appointed to the position by the council during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 19.
Wood was one of three applicants, with the other two being Bucoda residents Sandy Bade and Craig Lester.
The vacancy came about after former Councilor Michelle Layton resigned due to health issues, according to Bucoda Mayor Callie Carpenter.
“So, I talked with Craig, and he rescinded his application,” Carpenter said on Tuesday.
Lester had only recently moved to Bucoda and had not been a resident long enough to qualify for the councilor position.
As for Bade, she had not been in attendance at the council’s previous meeting in May to discuss her application. Carpenter added since Bade was also a member of the town’s planning commission, Bade would be required to resign from the planning commission if appointed to the council.
“I left her a voice message and explained the situation … and she’s not here (tonight),” Carpenter said.
Since last month’s meeting, Wood also submitted his letter of interest application. He was in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting and addressed the council.
“I moved here a few years ago this July,” Wood said. “One of the things I liked about this town was to see all the potential this town has.”
He added his background was in the entertainment industry, organizing major music and street festivals for thousands of people. With Bucoda being famous for changing its name to “Boo-Coda” every October and holding a month-long Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Halloween festival with multiple events and a haunted house, he felt his background is perfect for helping grow the Spook-Tacular.
Councilor Steven Lyle asked Wood what he does now, and Wood replied he is 62 and retired.
Following his introduction and with no other questions from the council, the council adjourned into executive session to discuss candidate qualifications.
Once the executive session ended and the meeting was reconvened. Councilor Miriam Gordon nominated Wood for the vacant position, a motion which was seconded by Councilor Laura Wilson.
The council then voted unanimously to appoint Wood to the vacancy.
