An alderwoman who lost in last week’s municipal election rebounded this week after being appointed to a seat left vacant by a surprise resignation.
Leticia Vierya lost to Carmine Bilotto in the 2nd Ward on April 5.
But at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, she was named to fill the remaining two years of Columbus Disabato’s term.
Disabato, who had served in virtually every capacity except city clerk during a career that spanned 40 years, resigned his post Tuesday and delivered an emotional farewell speech that brought many in the packed council chamber to tears.
He said it was time he and his wife got started on their retirement.
“I may be moving,” Disabato said, “but my heart will remain in Blue Island forever. It [public service] has allowed me to make hundreds of people part of my family and my life.”
Vierya helps maintain what many hope will be a growing Hispanic presence on the City Council after racial tensions surrounding the death of an elderly Hispanic resident after he was tackled by two city police officers late last year.
She was one of several Hispanics who lost in the election, including Rene Valenciano, a community activist who fell short in a bid to be 5th Ward alderman.
It was Vierya’s second City Council appointment in almost five months. In November, she was appointed to one of the 2nd Ward’s two council seats after former Ald. Gina Pegorin’s resignation.
“She has served the city for the last four months, and has proved she has the ability to serve well,” Disabato said.
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