Pottsville City Council appoints Atkinson mayor

The acting mayor of Pottsville was appointed mayor during a Thursday afternoon.

Mark Atkinson has been simultaneously serving as acting mayor and the Director of Accounts and Finance since Dave Clews resigned as mayor last month due to health issues.

A former Pottsville police officer and current Frackville Borough officer, Brian Reno, came forward to express interest in being mayor, but only Atkinson's name was put before council Thursday.

Atkinson said before the vote that Reno didn't get his name in in time for last Wednesday's special session to be on the agenda for consideration.

A vote was then taken to appoint Atkinson as mayor, followed by a vote to accept his resignation as Director of Accounts and Finance.

He'll be officially sworn in at 6 p.m. Monday.

The council has 30 days from Thursday to appoint a new councilmember in accordance with Pennsylvania law.