Lakewood City Council to Begin Interviews for Vacant Seat

The applications for the vacant Ward 1 city council are all in, and current members of council will begin the interviews today.

Thirteen Lakewood residents applied for the post, following the recent appointment of current Ward 1 councilman and council president .

The candidates are: David W. Anderson, of 17606 Narragansett Ave; Patrick Ballasch, of 2216 Woodward Ave.; Cynthia Bender, of 1460 Lauderdale Ave; Timothy Carroll, of 1100 Maple Cliff Dr.; David G. Clifford, of 17502 Riverway Dr.; Robert Dumbrys, of 1444 Woodward Ave.; James Gepperth, of 17809 Northwood Ave.; J. Patrick Lang, of 1577 Riverside Dr.; Luke J. Madden of 1635 Woodward Ave.; Pat Metzger, of 18110 Clifton Road; Brian Mooney, of 2149 McKinley Ave.; Bryan Rosser, of 17636 Cannon Ave.; and Cheryl F. Sullivan, of 17400 Lake Ave.

The position opened when Mayor Michael Summers appointed current councilman (and council president) Butler . That appointment still needs council approval, but that decision is believed to be only a formality.

Members of  hope the process go smoothly.

“Our goal is to make the decision before the first meeting in March,” said council vice president Mary Louise Madigan. “We don’t want to miss a single council meeting down a person.”

The position was open to all residents of Ward 1 (click to see the Ward 1 boundary). 

“There is no shortage of smart people in Lakewood,” Madigan said. “We’re going to get people. It is amazing to me how many people in Lakewood pitch in.” 

The interviews — set to begin 11 a.m. today at — are open to the public, however council may go into executive session to discuss the applicants further.