 group. After more than 45 minutes of heated discussion, Mayor Wilkerson said she would abstain from the vote if that's what the council wanted. Thompson introduced a motion to only allow the seven council members to vote, and it was approved on a vote of five to two. The council then heard from three candidates seeking the seat. A fourth candidate, Frances Severson, informed the council she was withdrawing from consideration. After the vote, Don Lanford was chosen to fill the seat on a six to one vote. Lanford was then sworn in.