MINGO JUNCTION — Village Council held a reorganizational meeting Friday, and the first vote of 2020 was controversial.

First on the agenda was the election of council president, who runs council meetings in the absence of the mayor. Councilman Jack Brettell nominated Councilman Michael Herrick, who has served as council president for the past several years. Patricia Cramblett, who was elected to council in November, seconded the motion.

Councilman George Irvin then nominated Councilwoman Jodilynn Fitzgerald for president.

After a discussion, Mayor Ed Fithen said council had to vote on the first motion pertaining to Herrick. Fitzgerald and Cramblett abstained, Irvin and Councilman Adam Peeler voted no and Brettell and Herrick voted yes. Fithen broke the tie by voting for Herrick.

There also was a split vote on Fithen’s reappointment of Ernest Wilson as solicitor. Fitzgerald and Irvin voted no, while Peeler, Cramblett, Brettell and Herrick voted in favor.

Fithen made the following appointments to council committees:

∫ Finance — All members of council and village Clerk James Huggins, Village Administrator Bob Smith and Fithen.

∫ Ordinance — Irvin, chairman, Peeler and Cramblett.

∫ Safety — Herrick, chairman, Fitzgerald and Irvin.

∫ Service — Fitzgerald, chairman, Peeler and Herrick.

∫ Water and sewer — Brettell, chairman, Peeler and Herrick.

∫ Recreation — Brettell, chairman, Herrick and Fitzgerald.

∫ Health and pension — Irvin, chairman, Herrick and Cramblett.

∫ Senior citizens — Cramblett, chairman, Fitzgerald and Irvin.

∫ Economic development — Irvin, chairman, Cramblett and Fitzgerald.

∫ Rules of council — Peeler, chairman, Brettell and Cramblett.

Council will meet at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, except in June, July and August, when council will meet at 7 p.m. once a month on the third Tuesday.

Shelter reservations at Aracoma Park will begin on Jan. 13 at the administrator’s office.