Council confirms Jeremiah Lang to fill vacant Marian seat; he is sworn in

Mayor Brian nominated Jeremiah Lang to fill a vacant seat on the City of Marian council and the council confirmed the appointment during its June meeting.

Lang, who said he and his wife moved to Marian in 2005, told the council he served three terms on USD 408’s board of education, volunteers in local schools and holds a pastoral role in the community. ‘‘I will serve this community well, never placing my personal agendas ahead of what is best for the city of Marian,’’ Lang said during his remarks.

The mayor said the vacancy arose after a council member’s move out of the area and presented Lang as a candidate among three applicants — Darvin Barkley, Jeremiah Lang and Terry Lovski. Barkley addressed the council earlier, citing planning-board experience and proposals for downtown development incentives and sidewalk policy review.

A council member seconded the mayor’s nomination and the council voted to confirm Lang. The council then administered the oath; Lang repeated, ‘‘I Jeremiah Lang do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas and faithfully discharge the duties of city council member for the city of Marian.’’

The council also discussed practical next steps for the new member: obtaining a refurbished laptop and city email, and giving Lang time to become familiar with pending issues. The mayor encouraged Lang to pass on decisions if he needed more information during his first meetings.

The appointment concluded one agenda item; the council proceeded to routine business, including approval of the consent agenda and department reports.