New Toledo City Council member takes over

5/23/2006

After a lengthy debate, Toledo City Council this afternoon voted 7-4 to appoint a new member, Lourdes Santiago.

Ms. Santiago, 56, a senior city attorney, out-polled rival democrat Bob Vasquez for the at-large council seat that was vacated May 2 by former Councilman Bob McCloskey.

The vote came after a failed effort by Mike Craig, the apparent victor in the city council District 3 election, to be sworn in to his seat prior to the vote to fill the at-large vacancy.

Mr. Craig had planned to vote for Mr. Vasquez if he had been sworn in before today's vote.

Mr. Craig beat incumbent Taylor Balderas in the May 2 special election, but his swearing in has been held up for an automatic recount.

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