Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Come Back Next Week: Battle still on for empty City Council seat.

Brian Ostella (left) and Dave Madsen (center) emerged as the final two nominees for an open Harrisburg City Council seat.

Harrisburg City Council nominated two candidates on Thursday night to fill a vacant short-term seat, but ultimately failed to summon a majority to make a final appointment.

Brian Ostella, a longtime member of the city’s audit committee, and Dave Madsen, a technician with the state Department of Revenue, each garnered a nomination from council members at the end of a special session this evening. But since Councilwoman Destini Hodges was absent, the remaining five members split the ballot 3-2 in favor of Madsen – one vote short of the four-member majority it needed to appoint him.

Council recessed and will attempt another round of voting at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday with all four finalists back in contention: Ostella, Madsen, former mayoral candidate Jennie Jenkins and former congressional candidate Joshua Burkholder. Council members can nominate any of the four for the seat.

The purpose of Thursday’s meeting was to hear from six residents hoping to replace Jeff Baltimore, a councilman who resigned on Aug. 11, two years into his four-year term. Following procedure set by the city charter, the special session consisted of three rounds to select a replacement: introductions, interviews and nominations.

Each of the six candidates who applied for the position — Burkholder, Jenkins, Madsen, Ostella, Christopher Conroy and Patricia Stringer — was permitted two minutes to address council about their experience and qualifications. Burkholder, Madsen, Ostella and Jenkins were all invited to appear for interviews, but, in the end, only Madsen and Ostella received nominations from council members.

Council President Wanda Williams said that the council tried to reach Hodges by phone for voting, but lost their connection before the nominating round. Hodges wasn’t present because of previously planned trip.

The candidate that council selects on Tuesday will serve through January.

Separately, the Democratic and Republican county committees are allowed to nominate one candidate each to appear on the general election ballot in November for the seat. The winner will take office in January and serve the remaining two years of Baltimore’s council term.

This story was updated to clarify that all four finalists will be back in contention on Tuesday when City Council reconvenes.

Author: Lizzy Hardison

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