McElwee fills Bainbridge town council board vacancy
BAINBRIDGE -- Chuck McElwee received a call a day before the Bainbridge Town Council meeting at his office in the Manan Hearing Center at 102 E. Northfield Drive. It was from Bonnie Osborn, asking him if he wanted to be the new town council board member.
He readily accepted.
"I look forward to doing the best I can," McElwee said.
McElwee, 51, has lived in Bainbridge for seven years, but has lived in Putnam County for 15 years. McElwee and his wife built their own home in the town after moving from Heritage Lake, but McElwee is originally from West Frankfort, Ill. McElwee also has three children and a dog. McElwee is the owner of the Manan Hearing Center, and he currently has 19 employees at his office.
"He's actually the biggest employer in this town besides the high school," said Town Marshal Rod Fenwick.
The board had to fill the position after Naomi Barker turned in a letter of resignation for the second time on April 15 due to health and personal reasons. Richard Cope, board president, said the town only had 30 days to appoint a new board member, but there was no public notice for the vacancy.
"The last time we had this, we didn't advertise, we didn't pound on doors," Cope said, commenting on how word traveled at that time.
The last time the board filled a vacany between terms, it received eight to nine applications for the position, Cope said. This time, it received none.
As Barker's original term ends, McElwee can decide whether he wants to officially run for the position next term. For the moment though, McElwee said he sees little to change about the town and he has no particular issue that he wishes to promote.
"I'm really happy with the way things have gone," McElwee said, mentioning the recycling bin and walking trail as examples of positive changes in the town. "I like it here."