SLIPPERY ROCK BOROUGH — Council nominated two candidates to be considered for its vacant seat after meeting with seven applicants Tuesday.

Council nominated Kenneth Zawodney Jr. and Professor John Hicks as candidates during its workshop meeting. One of the two candidates is to be appointed at council’s next meeting on Feb. 8.

Council president Jeff Campbell said he was grateful to all applicants who applied for the position, who included Jack Gallie, Ian Thomas, Robert Hinds, Jen Reilly and Gene Allison.

“Thank you to people who applied and showed interest,” he said. “For those who don’t get selected (for council), we have committees and things that desperately need help.”

Those who submitted letters of interest were asked to answer questions submitted by current council members. Those questions included information about the borough such as millage rate, how to deal with community members and borough staff, and what changes they planned to implement if appointed.

Zawodney is a retired employee of the federal government, having worked for the United States Army for 21 years, in Homeland Security and other various roles.

“I’ve lived in dozens of communities around the country and world and to end up in Slippery Rock has been a blessing for my family,” Zawodney said. “I want this to continue to be a safe and vibrant community.”

Hicks said he’s been part of the Slippery Rock community for decades, working in the high school and college alike. He hopes to give back to the community if appointed.

“I think I owe it to the town,” Hicks said. “I like the businesses coming in. It improves the town, and I like that it’s a place where everyone knows who everyone is.”

Zawodney, Hinds, Allison and Gallie attended the public meeting where members of council discussed the candidates.

Council member Royce Lorentz offered a comment about former councilman Allison before the nominations, recognizing that Allison had received the second highest amount of votes when he ran for the vacant seat in the Nov. 2 election.

“Gene found himself in a situation that should never have occurred. I’m not saying we did anything wrong, just that the process suffered,” he said.

Allison had previously served on council. David P. Yednak won by two votes against the former council member, but he moved out of the borough before the election and was not removed from the ballot.

“I’ve served on council longer than most of you have lived here ... The reason we’re here tonight is because of a faulty election ballot,” Allison said. “I would hope to let voters decide to let me back on council, as previously there was no one else interested in this position.”

The board also nominated four candidates for the borough’s planning commission to fill its four vacant seats. Candidates Matt Chapman, Royce Lorentz, Mayor Jondavid Longo and Jen Reilly will be voted on at the next meeting.

The next Slippery Rock Borough Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 8.