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BUCHANAN — Buchanan City Commissioners will be choosing between a downtown business owner, a former city commissioner and a young business manager as they decide tonight who will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor Sean Denison last month.

     Denison had served on the commission since 2018 and was in the middle of a four year term when he resigned. He was also facing a recall election in November, facing off with former City Commissioner Scott King.

     Commissioners interviewed King, Tony Houser and Raquell George Friday evening and said they would make their decision at Monday night’s commission meeting. All three candidates were asked a number of questions about their leadership skills as well as how they handle conflicts and unexpected situations and their plans to represent constituents.

     The bulk of the questions from commissioners emphasized applicants’ actions over the last year which appeared to favor Houser who is the only one of the three currently active on local boards and committees.

     In addition to owning a local restaurant, Houser is vice-chair of the city’s planning commission as well as the Buchanan Preservation Society and is also on the board of the Buchanan Area Senior Center and the Buchanan-Galien Lions Club. He previously was on the board of LiveBuchanan.

He ran for the city commission two years ago and is running again in November in a five-way race for two four-year seats against Larry Money, Patrick Swem, Lorilie Holmes and Angela Lowery.

“I’ve come to every meeting over the last four years, I’ve missed four meetings,” he said. “I’m out there every day listening to people. I have a fulltime job but I spend my free time to make sure I’m informed and do research on topics. I eat, sleep and live Buchanan.”

King emphasized his past experience on the city commission as well as with creek and trail organizations. He also spoke about his decision to run against Denison in the recall election and the hundreds of hours he spent talking to citizens over the last few months and hearing their concerns.

“All I want is for the commission to be as good as it can be,” he said Friday. “… My two main rules are is it good for Buchanan and is there a better way to do it. That keeps you out of a lot of personality clashes and it’s a team approach … I bring a very solid list of experience and knowledge.”

George at age 22 is the youngest of the applicants. She spoke about her leadership experience both as a manager at McDonalds and as an office manager for the Niles Farm Bureau office. She said she has learned the importance of respecting others’ opinions and taking the time to listen.

“I want to let everyone know how much I love Buchanan, I want to see it thrive,” she said. “In the Bible it says that the younger people learn from the older people. I feel like young people have to be ready to learn and be prepared.”

The four current commissioners thanked the three for applying. “It’s a tall task we’re being asked to do, we will give consideration to everyone over the weekend,” Swem said.

Money said it was commendable for the three to apply after the turmoil over the last several months. “We have three people with the courage and nerve to come forward,” he said.