Sharpsburg Council has a vacancy.<\/p>\n
Council unanimously voted to accept Amber Lapp\u2019s resignation July 23.<\/p>\n
Lapp, an administrative coordinator and a former employee resource group leader for a nonprofit public policy research institution, was appointed to council April 23.<\/p>\n
She took over for Corey Ochai, who resigned in March. Family commitments were key factors in his departure. Ochai was in the first year of his second term.<\/p>\n
Lapp, who had no previous political experience, is moving out of the borough to be closer to a new job, borough Manager Christine DeRunk said July 27.<\/p>\n
Lapp was one of two people interested in Ochai\u2019s vacant seat and was the only one to show up at a council meeting to be interviewed.<\/p>\n
She did not respond to messages seeking comment.<\/p>\n
Lapp spent time on council\u2019s communications committee with Councilman Roman Mason.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate her doing her civic duty,\u201d Mason said July 27. \u201cWhen there was an opportunity to appoint somebody, she stepped up. I wish her well in her future endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the work on the communications committee included monitoring the borough\u2019s social media pages and preparing for upcoming announcements.<\/p>\n
Mason said he hopes the next potential council member is \u201csomebody with pizzazz\u201d and wants to grow with the town.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody voices their opinion about what they would change in town,\u201d Mason said. \u201cThere\u2019s an appointment available. Now\u2019s your opportunity to have your voice heard and have your neighbors lean on you \u2014 and give a voice to the voiceless.\u201d<\/p>\n
Council President Adrianne Laing did not respond to messages seeking comment.<\/p>\n
Residents interested in the council seat may submit letters of interest via email to manager@sharpsburgborough.com or drop it off at the borough office, 1611 Main St. The deadline for applications is Aug. 26.<\/p>\n
Applicants are expected to be interviewed and possibly appointed Aug. 27.<\/p>\n
Whomever is appointed would have to run in next year\u2019s election to keep the seat.<\/p>\n