Patrick McCord will only serve as Saint Clair councilman for the next few months but in that time, he hopes to live up to the standard he believes his predecessor set in that role and more importantly, in the community.
McCord, 24, was unanimously selected Tuesday evening to round out the unexpired term of Councilman William Dempsey, who passed away in September. That term ends at the end of this year.
McCord was one of eight people to express interest in the vacated seat and Saint Clair had 30 days to fill that position.
After being sworn in by Mayor Richard Tomko, McCord took his first official action as Councilman by moving to adjourn the brief special meeting Tuesday. McCord will be on council for a total of four more sessions between now and the end of the year, including two workshop meetings and two monthly voting meetings.
At Saint Clair’s regular October meeting, McCord used public comment time to honor the late Dempsey, focusing on his role of mentoring the borough’s youth, specifically through sports and recreation. He urged council members to do something to honor Dempsey and they did, by naming the Third St. park in his honor.
Following the meeting, McCord said he was asked to put his name in for consideration of the vacant seat by Council president Thomas Dempsey.
“It was an honor to be asked to do that. I aspired to be just like Coach was, to impact the community in ways he did,” McCord told The Canary. “It’s an honor to fill his seat and hopefully I can do my duties to the best of my abilities.”
Dempsey said of McCord that he comes from a family that’s been involved with Saint Clair council for years. Even though McCord’s term is up at the end of the year, Dempsey said, “I hope he continues right after this year.”
Photo: Coal Region Canary
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