DALTON - On the same night borough council voted to appoint a new mayor, a councilwoman resigned because, like the former mayor, she didn't like the direction council is headed.
At a meeting Tuesday, council members voted 3-1 to appoint Aaron Holzman to finish the rest of former Mayor James Gray's four-year term. The term ends in November, council President William Salva said.
Mr. Holzman, who has served as a borough councilman for the past three years, resigned from his seat on council at the start of the meeting so he could accept his new position as mayor.
Officials said they didn't know what the position pays, but Councilman William Montgomery said it "isn't much more" than what council members make.
"Dalton is a great place to live and raise a family, and my job is to keep it that way," Mr. Holzman said. "I look forward to working with council and doing the best we can to serve the borough."
Councilwoman Susan Davidson voted against Mr. Holzman's appointment. Then, at the end of the meeting, she resigned, voicing her displeasure with how council handles business.
"I am appalled, disgusted, disgraced and very disappointed," she said. "There is such a lack of communication. Decisions are being made via emails, over cups of coffee, and we are being led by a one-man band that is for progressive regression."
Also at the meeting, council voted 3-1 to appoint Jared Gard, 28, to fill Mr. Holzman's vacant seat on council.
A Dalton resident his entire life, Mr. Gard said he has worked with the borough's planning committee and is excited for the opportunity.
One of the first items on his - and council's - agenda will be the search for a candidate to replace Ms. Davidson, whose resignation marks back-to-back months in which a borough official has resigned. Mr. Gray resigned at the Dec. 13 council meeting.
"It is very unfortunate to see this, and we are grateful for their service," Mr. Salva said. "I have a lot of faith that Mr. Holzman will lead us in the right direction."
Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter