The Ione City Council welcomed a new councilmember at their special meeting Monday evening after the sudden resignation of Councilman Jeff Barnhart. There were three major applicants for the position. Each applicant was given an opportunity to share their background with the council and to answer questions. David Plank, Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission, cited his experience with Regional Land Use Planning and Growth Management and his involvement in important Ione projects during his tenure on the Planning Commission. Another candidate,

 Elmer Rhode, was not present at the meeting as he had personal matters to attend to, but his letter of interest was read into the record. Rhode’s letter stated that he intended to “dedicate the time needed to work with the other council members for the good of Ione.” A third candidate,  Chester ‘Skip’ Schaufel, currently serves as the Secretary of the Ione Business Community Association and also of the Rotary Club, and stated that he has a “solid history of producing results within a limited budget.” Councilman Ard commented on the fact that all of the applicants were “of the caliber of experience needed, for the city to make it.” Councilman Sherman then reminded those applicants who were not chosen to “run for election in November.” After deliberation, a motion was made for Plank that resulted in a deadlock 2-2 vote. A second motion was then made for Chester Schaufel with a 4-0 vote. Schaufel was then sworn in by City Clerk Janice Traverso. Councilmember Schaufel will now replace Jeff Barnhart, whose service extended into 2010.