There’s a new member of the Baldwin City Council. Erik Keith was appointed Tuesday night to fill Larry Lewallen’s unexpired term.
Acting mayor Alice Venter swore Keith into office during the council’s regular monthly meeting.
The city council was down to just four members with the resignations of former mayor Joe Elam in February and councilmember Lewallen two weeks ago. With concerns about not having a quorum to conduct city business, the council decided to appoint Keith to the Post 1 city council seat for the next three months.
Lewallen’s term expires on December 31.
In January, Keith will assume the seat for a full four-year term. The Post 1 seat was up for election next month. Lewallen did not qualify for re-election, leaving Keith as the lone qualifier for that post.
At last week’s work session, city attorney Bubba Samuels confirmed that the city charter allows for the city council to appoint a Baldwin resident to a vacant council seat within 90 days of an election.
“Mr. Keith, thank you very much for offering yourself for public service. Welcome to the jungle,” Venter said at his swearing-in.
A humbled and reserved Keith made no comment prior to or after the swearing-in and was congratulated by those in attendance.
