By David DeKunder
Staff Writer

The Cibolo City Council July 8 picked a familiar person to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former Councilman Bob Hicks.

Council members voted unanimously to appoint Steve Liparoto, who had previously served on the council for three months in 2005 when he was appointed to fill a vacant seat.

Liparoto was one of three candidates who expressed an interest in the now-vacant seat. Joseph Trevino, a 20-year Cibolo resident and former Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD board member, and Charles Cyr, a two-year resident who serves on the city Planning and Zoning Commission, were the other two candidates.

All three candidates submitted letter of interests for the council seat by the July 7 deadline after Hicks’ resignation on June 19.

All three candidates addressed the council as to why they should have been the one to be appointed to the council.

Liparoto said his service on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Impact Fee Advisory Committee and his previous stint as a councilmember has given him a good background on city issues.

“I have lived here for 20 years and having served briefly on the council,” Liparoto said, “I am familiar with and understand the issues and challenges facing the council.”

Trevino cited his service as a school board member, community involvement and knowledge of city issues to make his case. Cyr said if he were to serve on the council he would support policies that would promote smart growth and make Cibolo a premiere city in the region.

Mayor Pro Tem Mark Winn said Liparoto’s experience and background made him the person who could step in immediately and tackle the issues facing the council and the city.

Mayor Jennifer Hartman said she was pleased with the selection of candidates the council had to choose from.

“We had three individuals with good backgrounds,” Hartman said.

Liparoto’s seat will be up for election in May 2009.

After the council approved his appointment, Liparoto was sworn in by Cimics and took his seat on the dais. The councilman’s first meeting was a busy one as the council tackled numerous issues and action items, including executive session, for 4.5 hours.