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MORGANTOWN - The search for a 7th Ward resident to serve out the remainder of Brian Butcher's term on Morgantown City Council is down from five applicants to two names - Mary "Mimi" Wilson and Gail Taylor.
Both were scheduled to sit for initial conversations with Morgantown City Council as part of an executive session listed on Tuesday's meeting agenda.
According to Mayor Danielle Trumble, Tuesday's meeting with the candidates was primarily intended to be an informal introduction.
"Tonight, our intention was to split the council into two smaller groups and kind of have an informal conversation with the candidates – just like a get-to-know-you kind of thing," Trumble told The Dominion Post Tuesday afternoon.
It's anticipated that one or both of the candidates will be back for more formal interviews as part of council's Sept. 15 meeting.
Trumble said members of council have discussed livestreaming those interviews via YouTube similarly to how many of the city's various public meetings are broadcast.
"My stance is, when I ran for office, it was a very public process, and I think anyone who's wishing to sit in the seat should be open to a public process," she said. "Maybe there would be no other people in the room besides council and the applicant, but have the interview broadcast ... That would still be my intention to have a public interview, whether it's with one or both candidates at the meeting in two weeks. I can't say for sure that will happen."
Butcher, who had represented the city's 7th Ward since July 1, 2021, officially stepped away from the position Monday.
Tuesday started the 30-day window in which council must appoint a replacement in order to avoid triggering a special election.
It is anticipated city council will make its 7th Ward appointment on Sept. 29.
The selected applicant will serve out the term, which expires June 30, 2027.
The following day, the winners of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th ward seats in the April 27 municipal election will be sworn in.