The Ithaca Common Council announced that it is accepting applications from fourth ward residents interested in serving as an alderperson following the resignation of Alderperson Patrick Kuehl ’24 (D-4th Ward). Applicants can apply through an online form through Sept. 11.
The vacancy and application were announced via a City press release on Aug. 12. The appointed resident will fill the vacant position until next year’s November municipal election.
Kuehl announced his resignation in early July, stepping down two years into his four-year term to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin, according to The Ithaca Voice. His resignation became effective on Aug. 5.
Alderperson Robin Trumble (D-4th Ward) will continue to represent the ward, which spans the Collegetown area, and said in the press release that the ongoing application will “ensure the ward continues to have strong representation on [the] Common Council.”
The applications will be reviewed by a council selection committee chaired by Mayor Robert Cantelmo, M.A. ’20 and including alderpersons Trumble and Ducson Nguyen (D-2nd Ward), according to the press release.
Each applicant will have the opportunity to present themselves to the committee and respond to the committee’s questioning, and a candidate will be recommended to the Common Council by Sept. 11.
"The Fourth Ward is home to a diverse community with unique needs, including the residents, students, businesses and property owners who make Collegetown an important part of Ithaca," Trumble said in the press release. “I encourage residents who are passionate about serving their neighbors and contributing to the future of our community to apply.”
Following the recommendation, the council will vote on the proposed appointment at their Oct. 7 regular meeting or during an earlier special meeting. If the appointee receives the majority vote, they will take their seat and assume the duties of their role.
Kuehl leaves behind a term initiated by a surprise write-in campaign. While a senior at Cornell, Kuehl unseated incumbent Jorge DeFendini ’22 (D-1st Ward) by nine votes in a race with less than 100 total votes, with crucial votes from Cornell fraternities.
Kuehl called his experience on the council “truly inspiring” and said he is “proud of how we worked together to deliver results for the community,” according to The Ithaca Voice.
Patrick Sewell (I-3rd Ward) said in an interview with The Voice that although Kuehl’s initial appointment was “morally ambiguous,” he became “one of the hardest working members of council.”
During his time on the council, Kuehl helped form the Collegetown Community Collective, a nonprofit organization dedicated toward revitalizing the neighborhood through initiatives such as the Summer Concert Series.
“I think he has earned our respect,” Sewell told The Voice. “I think he’s done a tremendous job here.”
Shubha Gautam is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is an assistant news editor for the 144th Editorial Board and can be reached at sgautam@cornellsun.com.
