Slippery Rock Borough council filled its vacant seat Tuesday.

Former borough council member Itzi Meztli vacated his seat in February, citing health concerns, according to council members who announced Meztli's departure at the March 12 meeting.

Borough council voted to appoint Mike Sullivan, a seven-year borough resident, at Tuesday's meeting. Sullivan will finish the term through December before the position is up for re-election.

Council member Gene Allison said Meztli was a strong and opinionated presence on their council.

“I truly believe Itzi has Slippery Rock at heart,” Allison said. “I have great sympathy for him for undergoing his health concerns at this time.”

Sullivan also plans to run for the upcoming two-and four-year positions on the ballot in May. He has not previously served in public office, but he has regularly attended council meetings over the past five years.

“I have become very informed of the local issues affecting our community both past and present,” Sullivan said. “As such, I feel that I'm deep into the learning curve and can hit the ground running for the current board.”

Sullivan lives in the borough with his wife and the younger two of his three daughters. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and has worked for Verizon Wireless for the past 25 years.

“I stand ready to contribute toward a stewardship that promotes our borough, improves infrastructure and increases our residents' quality of life,” Sullivan said.

Allison said the council still wants to fill a full-time code enforcement officer position and refill another for a part-time police officer.

“We want to continue to work under our budget constraints, which we are doing a really good job of,” he said.