Democrats fill vacant city council seat with IU faculty member

The Monroe County Democratic party elected Susan Sandberg to fill the vacant seat on the city council Thursday night.\nSandberg will fill the at-large city council seat that recently-elected Monroe County Prosecutor Chris Gaal will be leaving Jan. 1. Sandberg won with 23 of the 34 Democratic precinct chairs' votes that were present (or their proxy). Sandberg beat out her three opponents Jack Baker, Lois Sabo-Skelton and Marty Spechler.\nAfter the announcement of Sandberg's victory, she was sworn in by Bloomington City Clerk Regina Moore. The newly elected council member thanked her opponents, family members and other supporters during a statement after she was sworn in. Sandberg also made reference to a previous meeting when the city council voted on an ordinance to allow chickens in the city.\n"I won't show up to city council meetings in a giant chicken suit," Sandberg said, referring to city council member Steve Volan, who wore a chicken suit to that city council meeting.\nSandberg asked for everyone to keep in touch and to give this holiday season.\n"I know you all do, but give generously to citizens in need this holiday season," Sandberg said.\nSandberg has worked with the organization New Leaf, New Life on a theater project in the Monroe County Jail. Jail overcrowding and recidivism rates are important, Sandberg said. \nDuring the question and answer period, Sandberg and her three opponents all said they would run for city council again if they were elected that night. Each candidate also answered what they would like to focus on most in their first period as council members. Baker said he would focus on transportation. He explained during his opening statement that he wanted to consolidate the city and county bus systems into one system to better serve the community. Sabo-Skelton said she would focus on the budget first.\n"The budget is basic to everything we do," Sabo-Skelton said.\nSpechler said he would try to learn about the issues if he were elected.\n"I'm aware that I don't know enough," Spechler said.\nSandberg said she would focus on social services and the arts because of her background as program coordinator of the arts administration program at IU. She said when she votes as a council member, she will listen to her conscience and think about the long-term impact her vote would have on Bloomington.\n"I will fiercely defend the Democratic majority on the city council," Sandberg said.