He lost his bid return to elected office by just 5 votes this spring, but former Havre de Grace mayor and city councilman John P. Correri, Jr. could still return to the dais in City Hall.
The City Council has had a vacancy since city councilwoman Brenda Guldenzopf lost her battle with cancer last month. Citing the need to bring in someone familiar with the current issues of the city, Mayor Wayne Dougherty announced Tuesday that he had nominated Correri to fill that vacancy.
Pending a vote by a majority of the Havre de Grace City Council, Correri will return to the seat he held for longer of a quarter-century.
Correri was a longtime city councilman who ascended to mayor when then-mayor David Craig was picked as the interim Harford County Executive following Jim Harkins’ appointment by Gov. Bob Ehrlich to head up the Maryland Environmental Service. Correri lost his bid to retain the mayor’s office to Dougherty in the subsequent election.
This May, Correri’s bid to return to the city council fell just short as he trailed city councilman Jim Miller for the final seat by 5 votes.
From Havre de Grace government:
After much consideration and review of the qualifications of all persons wishing to be considered for the Council Seat left vacant due to the untimely death of Councilwoman Brenda Dorr Guldenzopf, the Mayor feels strongly that John Correri is the best candidate to fill this vacancy.
“I have worked very closely with Council President Martin throughout this entire selection process”, said Mayor Dougherty.
“Being able to immediately begin working on the issues and challenges facing the City was one of the most important criteria I used in this selection process.”
The City Charter requires the Mayor to nominate to the City Council a qualified person to complete the remaining term of the vacated seat. This appointment shall then be confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council members.
What a joke. I doubt anyone else was considered. Dougherty just want to continue his Rubber Stamp agenda.