Daniel Herr appointed to Butler City Council
Butler City Council appointed Daniel Herr on Tuesday to fill the council seat vacated by Bob Dandoy, who was elected mayor in November.
Herr will serve the remainder of Dandoy’s term, which expires in January 2023.
A retired state trooper, Herr has lived in Butler since 1992 and is a school police officer in the Mars Area School District. He is married with three children.
Herr said he never has served in government office, but applied for the open seat because he wants to bring members of the community together through local initiatives and events.
“I loved it when we had the summer concert series. I really felt bad when that went away,” Herr said. “I think community events are a good way to bring people together so they can actually talk.
“If you know your neighbor and he needs help, you’re more likely to help.”
City Council advertised for letters of interest to fill the vacant seat in January, when Dandoy assumed the role of mayor. In council meetings, Dandoy and the council members said they were looking for someone with a background or knowledge of finance.
Council had to fill the seat within a month of its Jan. 3 reorganizational meeting, or a county court would make the appointment. Council moved the deadline of letters of interest up from Feb. 9 to Tuesday to appoint someone in time.
Dandoy said council members interviewed two of six applicants for the seat.
“It was pretty clear cut in our eyes,” Dandoy said. “What we discussed first was sort of an overriding philosophy of what we wanted out of the candidates. When we saw who applied, there were two who rose to the surface.”
The four-member council reorganized some of its members’ assignments. Councilman Don Shearer moved to director of accounts and finance from director of parks and public property, allowing Herr to take that role. Councilman Mike Walter also took the role of director of streets and public improvements. Larry Christy will continue as director of public safety and the bureau of fire.
The next municipal election is in November 2023, and the term of office for the person elected to the position on City Council at that time shall run from January 2024 to January 2026.
