Coplay Borough Council is looking for someone to fill the seat vacated by former Councilman Michael Mazur.

Only this time, applicants must attend the March 5 workshop meeting for interviews.

Council accepted Mazur's resignation at the Feb. 12 meeting.

"At this time I would like to notify you of my resignation from council," reads a letter from Mazur. "I would like to thank the people of Coplay for voting me in for two terms. In addition, I would like to thank my former councilmen for allowing me to work with them."

Mazur's letter did not give a reason for his departure. He did not return phone calls from The Press.

Councilman Charles Sodl asked about the procedure for appointing new councilmen. The last couple times someone was appointed, interested candidates sent in their resumes, council read the resumes and then made a decision, he said.

Sodl himself was appointed Sept. 11 to fill a seat vacated by the resignation of former Councilman Marvin Mann. He was one of five candidates, none of whom was interviewed during the 20-minute meeting, which included no discussion.

Councilman David Royer said there is no standard procedure. Sometimes applicants attend meetings and sometimes they don't.

"In the interest of having transparency and open government," Sodl said, it's time for a change.

"I know the interview process is long and cumbersome but I would think at least, the bare minimum, they would come to our workshop [and] present themselves," he said.

When someone decides to run for an elected office, the person goes around town and meets others, giving them the opportunity to ask questions, Sodl said.

Council should have that same opportunity to interact with applicants.

"I just think it's a good way to open up our government and let people understand that we're interested in everybody's thoughts," he said.

"I agree with Charlie [Sodl]," said Councilman Matthew Recker. "I could read a piece of paper and say, 'Well, on paper you look great but I don't know anything about you. I don't even know who you are. I don't even know what you look like for that matter.'"

Councilman Joseph Groller agreed, saying those who apply for summer jobs working at the borough swimming pool are interviewed in person.

Council President Lou Bodish said council has two options. Noting three council members are retired, he said they could arrange to meet with applicants for interviews or the full council could conduct interviews at the March workshop.

Recker said he wanted the interviews to be conducted by the entire council at the workshop. If he does not get to interview the applicants himself, he doesn't get the chance to make an informed decision.

"What happens if we have 10 people?" Bodish said.

"I'd be amazed, first," quipped Royer.

Sodl said council members should "do our job" and interview everyone, no matter how many applicants there are.

"Who cares if it takes 10 minutes or three hours?" he said. "I don't."

Royer suggested making it mandatory for all applicants to attend the workshop meeting.

Sodl said he believes conducting public interviews will open up the process to the citizens and, possibly, attract more applicants.

"We have a lot of good people in this town, a lot of good people," he said. "But for some reason they're reluctant to jump on board."

Sodl, who retired from Firestone as a store managing partner, compared politics to business.

"I hired a lot of people in my life. I never hired them off a piece of paper," he said. "My rule was two interviews."

Applications will be accepted at the borough office until 3 p.m. March 5. For more information, contact the borough office at 610-262-6088.