The city of International Falls will hold another special council meeting next week to discuss how to fill the vacant mayor’s chair stemming from the sudden passing of Bob Anderson.
Council meeting this week to go over next steps.
Councillor Harley Droba, who was previously appointed mayor pro-tem, will preside over council until a replacement is found.
City Solicitor Steve Shermoen says council has different options available to appoint a new mayor.
“It can be done after you sought applications to serve as mayor or it can be done without any kind of application process,” says Shermoen.
Council also has the option of selecting from one of the remaining councillors or holding a by-election.
Droba says given financial issues coming before council in the near future, he would prefer to fill the position as quickly as possible and have a full council in place by the end of the year.
“I think it makes the most sense to move faster but I also understand the need to slow down for a second and respect the person who primarily sat in that seat,” says Droba.
Council will reconvene Monday night on the matter.
Prior to the meeting, council stood for a moment of silence. Droba later commented on Anderson’s passing, noting he had helped convince him on his own decision to run for office.
“I owe a lot of credit to him to where I am today. I look at my life so many times and mentors, and I will always think of Mayor Anderson as a mentor,” says Droba.
Funeral services for Anderson will be held Friday at St. Thomas Catholic Church beginning at 10 a.m.
