Galena City Council fills seat following member’s death

 A former Jo Daviess County Board member will temporarily fill a seat on the Galena City Council that was vacated by the death of a longtime member. The council voted unanimously at its meeting this week, with Mayor Terry Renner absent, to approve the appointment of Brandon Behlke to the vacant Ward II council seat. The seat was open following the December death of Pam Bernstein, who served on the council for 12 years. Bernstein’s term was set to expire this year, and candidates Roger Gates and Richard Pariser have filed to run for the seat in the April 1 election. According to council documents, Behlke does not intend to run as a write-in candidate.