Sources close to City Hall said on Thursday that Mayor Jerramiah Healy is looking at city employee David Donnelly, son of a former Ward B city councilwoman, as a replacement for the most recent Ward B representative Phil Kenny, who pled guilty on Tuesday to taking payments from government informant Solomon Dwek and resigned his seat.
Donnelly works in City Hall as an aide to Mayor Healy.
Healy on Thursday said while he thought Donnelly would be a “good choice,” he would not say if it was his final choice, and would not comment further on the matter except to say “some interesting characters” have come forward but did not give names.
The City Council would ultimately vote for a replacement based on Healy’s recommnendation within 30 days of Kenny’s resignation, which was officially on Wednesday. That replacement would fill the seat until a special election in November, 2010 to fill the remainder of the term.
Donnelly when contacted for comment on Friday said,” I am honored that Mayor Healy has endorsed me. But the decision is up to the City Council and we will abide by that decision.”
As far as replacements beside Donnelly, other names have surfaced wanting the post including former Ward B candidates Doug Salters and Paul Catsandonis, businessman Bruce Alston, and city Alcohol Beverage Commission member Frank Pabon. – RK