Councilman Seth Bernard announced during the August 17, 2021, public meeting of the Mayor and City Council that he is resigning his seat on Council effective September 8, 2021. Bernard was first elected to Council in November, 2014, and was the highest vote-getter. Since that time, he has represented the City Council in various terms on the Parks and Recreation Board, Neighborhood Advisory Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Evitts Creek Steering Committee, and has served as Treasurer to the Evitts Creek Water Company.
Mayor Morriss stated during the public meeting that letters will be accepted from citizens of the City who are interested in being appointed to the vacant seat, the term of which will extend through January 2, 2023. This Council seat will be subject to general election in 2022 for a 4-year term.
Candidates who are interested in filling this vacancy must be twenty-one (21) years of age and a citizen of the United States at the time of his or her appointment, and must be a resident of the city of Cumberland for one (1) year immediately preceding his or her appointment. Compensation for a City Council position is $4,800 annually.
The Mayor and Council will accept letters of interest through Friday, September 3, 2021. The submission letters should include each individual’s reason for wanting to be on Council, a priority list of issues and projects that they feel should be addressed, and a resume. The letters should be addressed to the Mayor and City Council, c/o Margie Woodring, City Clerk, 57 N. Liberty Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. Interviews of select individuals will be conducted and the remaining four members of the Mayor and Council will vote on an appointment to the vacant seat in the coming weeks. Questions regarding the process may be directed to the City Clerk’s office at 301-759-6447 or margie.woodring@cumberlandmd.gov.