Following a four-ballot election held Monday night at city hall, Dan Cortell, an Admiral’s Hill lawyer and Licensing Board member, was elected to fill the District 8 councillor seat. City clerk Debbie Clayman announced the winning vote, after which Cortell was sworn in and immediately took his place on the council for that evening’s scheduled meeting. “I am honored. I am humbled. I am pleased,” Cortell remarked after being sworn in. The District 8 position had been vacant since Ron Morgese’s resignation last month. Under the City Charter, a special election was required to fill the vacancy promptly. While some council members opposed having the council select Morgese’s replacement, Monday night’s public and open ballot by the council members created an atmosphere of excitement and political engagement. Cortell secured the seat on the fourth ballot, though the outcome was effectively decided on the third ballot when Councillor at large Roseann Bongiovanni switched her vote to Cortell after supporting candidate Mike Nappo on the first two ballots. The final tally showed Dan Cortell with 6 votes and candidate Joe Roman with 4.
Just before balloting commenced, Council President Leo Robinson announced that candidate and former Councilor John O’Brien had withdrawn from consideration that afternoon. The four remaining candidates – Cortell, David Rudolph, Roman and Nappo – each received five minutes to present their case before voting began. During their remarks, all four candidates expressed appreciation for the open and transparent process. Roman described his participation as energizing and rewarding. Nappo voiced gratitude for the opportunity to address the council, a view Rudolph shared as well. Notably, Cortell concluded his remarks with: “If you elect me I promise not to disappoint you.” Before the balloting started, several councilors offered praise for the candidates. Councillor Marilyn Vega Torres acknowledged all of them. “This is not easy to do. I thank you all,” she stated. Bo Giovanni voiced similar sentiments. “This has been an interesting and intriguing experience. It is not easy to run for city council. It is unfortunate that residents of District 8 couldn’t have made this decision,” she noted. “You all have the willingness and the ability to do the job,” Councillor Calvin Brown said. Councillor Paula Barton requested a closed ballot, which Robinson immediately rejected. Barton later reflected on the difficulty she experienced with the political aspects of the process. “I love my job but I don’t like the politics,” she explained.
The first ballot produced relatively even distribution: Cortell received 4 votes, Roman 3, Nappo 2 and Rudolph 1. The second ballot showed some shifts, with Cortell and Roman each getting 4, Nappo receiving 2 and Rudolph eliminated. On the third ballot, Cortell gained 5 votes to Roman’s 4 and Nappo’s 1, resulting in Nappo’s removal from further balloting. The fourth and final ballot resulted in Cortell defeating Roman 6-4. Voting for Cortell were Robinson, Brian Hatleberg, Mike MeKonnen, Calvin Brown, Marilyn Vega-Torres and Roseann Bongiovanni. Anthony Pellegrino, Paula Barton, Kathleen Bishop and Richard Maronski voted for Roman.
