Services for Councilman

Funeral services were held Monday for longtime City Councilman Chet Shearer, who died last week after a lengthy struggle with cancer. He was 54.

A flower arrangement hung behind Shearer’s empty seat at Monday’s City Council meeting, where colleagues bid farewell to a man who had served continuously since 1970.

“Chet Shearer always did his homework before taking a stand on any issue,” said Mayor Kenneth Chappell, who was first elected to the council in 1968. “We will all miss his experience . . . his friendship and his humor.”

City Atty. Colin Lennard outlined the options Monday for filling the vacant seat, which include appointing a replacement and holding a special election.

If the council chooses to appoint someone to serve the remainder of Shearer’s term, which expires in April, 1990, it must be done within 30 days of his death. If the city opts for a special election, the seat would remain open until the first week in November.

Lennard said the council could also consider appointing someone to fill the vacancy until the November election.