City Council 2
Altman our pick for special election In the special election to fill the remaining two years of the unfinished term of Marlin Sprouts, the Herald-Standard Editorial Board endorses Republican Gary Altman over Democrat Philip Michael for the 2-year seat on Uniontown City Council.
Michael was appointed to the seat, after Sprouts stepped down last March. Michael stepped down after a lawsuit challenging his residency was filed by Gary Gearing, and Curtis Sproul was then appointed to fill the seat.
The election bureau originally ruled that Sproul could serve until December 2011, when the term expires, but after much legal wrangling, it was determined that the vacancy had to be filled at the next municipal election, which is Nov. 3.
Altman received overwhelming support among the members of the editorial board. We were pleased to hear Altman voice support for taking “full advantage” of the state’s help in extricating Uniontown from its financial morass. He also appeared to have the greatest understanding of the state program, which would offer suggestions and recommendations but nothing mandatory.
Michael, however, felt the state’s consultants were unnecessary and that the city can handle its own affairs. Unfortunately, the wisdom of that thinking is questionable, to say the least, given the city’s current fiscal situation. Moreover, in his short time on council Michael offered little outside of vague platitudes with little to show for his having served. As a candidate, he has shown even less of a concern for offering specifics.
As a member of Mayor Ed Fike’s team, he also will likely fall in line in support of the status quo, which city residents can no longer afford to support.
Altman, an attorney, seems serious-minded and appears unwilling to be anyone’s “yes man.” Altman, together with our endorsements for the four-year seats on council – Gary Gearing and Russ Rhodes – would represent three votes on the council and the opportunity for serious change.