About a dozen people have expessed interest in filling a vacancy on Greensburg City Council.

Council will appoint one new member to fill the vacancy left by Cheryl Lennert, who resigned last month.

Lennert oversaw the city’s parks & recreation department. The new member will as well, according to Mayor Robert Bell. He or she will serve the remainder of Lennert’s term, which expires at the end of 2023.

On Tuesday, 11 people stated their desire to serve. The candidates spoke briefly at council’s public agenda meeting. Bell said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the large number of qualified applicants.

Council will discuss the applicants in private, with plans to appoint someone when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday.

Here’s an introduction to the applicants who spoke:

Ronel Baccus

54; co-chair of Laurel Legal Services, which provides legal assistance to those in need, and the vice president of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP. She said wants to bring her experience as a community advocate to council.

“I want to build up our community, and build up our youth,” she said.

Shelia Brumley

50; coordinator for community support for the American Cancer Society. She’s involved in the Greensburg Youth Football and Cheer Parents’ Association and the Greensburg Salem Education Association, and said she wants to continue to work for the city’s youth.

“Lynch Field and the rec programs are great, but I know there are a lot of things we could do to get kids more involved,” she said.

Debby Dull

67; retired teacher from the Connellsville Area School District. She lived in Greensburg while working in Connellsville, and wants to find ways to give back to the community.

“I live in a neighborhood with a lot of young children, and it would be nice for them to have a safe place to play,” she said.

Colin Johnson

35; team leader at Summit Academy. He ran for council last year. He said he wants to pursue grants and other sources of funding to improve the city’s recreational spaces.

“I would work diligently to acquire funds,” he said. “Everyone used to go to those playgrounds, and I think we can get there again.”

Jennifer Lundy

41; vice president for finance and administration at Seton Hill University. She said her administrative experience would translate well to a position on council.

“I am committed to giving 100% of myself in every role that I take on,” she said. “I’m just really excited to be more a part of Greensburg, and part of of this community.

Sean McLaughlin

37; co-owns Invisible Man Brewing Company. An active member of the city’s business community, he said he’d like to promote both youth sports and economic development.

“I’ve been trying to advocate for growth in the community for the last several months,” he said.

Judy O’Toole

66; retired former director of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. She said she moved to the city 27 years ago when she took the job at the museum, and decided to never leave. She said her experience spearheading major projects would make her a good fit for council.

“I’m just excited to give back to the city after 27 years,” she said.

Michael Riggs

36; owns Riggs Custom Welding and Fabrication. He said he grew up in Greensburg and moved to California for 15 years before moving his family back to his hometown.

“I feel invested in this community. I want what’s best for our children and youth programs,” he said. “I’m here for the long haul.”

Kathy Sandorf

61; owns Sandorf’s Day Care. She spent about 20 years on the Greensburg Recreation Advisory Board, and ran for a council seat in 2017.

“I would just like the opportunity to work with the council members and the mayor to make Greensburg a better place, and a wonderful place to live and do business,” she said.

Ben Thompson

67; bus driver and retired operations manager for PPG. He said he knows many people throughout the city and could bring various community groups together.

“I have an insight on the core values of our community,” he said.

Tim Wherry

45; photographer and line cook at Pizza Sienna. He says he travels frequently and would like to apply good ideas he’s seen in other communities to Greensburg.

“I see how these towns are trying to develop,” he said. “I love Greensburg, but I think we can make it better.”

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