The death of a councilman-elect means the Village of Coal Grove has an important task to do in the first month of the year.

Glen Markins passed away Dec. 28, 2009 following complications relating to a recent heart surgery. The council is required to appoint someone to the open spot within a month.

“He was a very good man and thought an awful lot of the Village of Coal Grove,” Clerk-treasurer Debbie Fields said. “Mr. Markins will be missed by his community.”

Markins, a former mayor of Coal Grove, was elected to council in November, along with Juelda Collins, Bob Self and Aaron Stewart.

Other candidates who were not elected include Frederick Philip Roush with 258 votes, Chris Brammer with 271 votes, and Kyle McKnight with 277 votes.

Council is not required to appoint the candidate with the next highest number of votes, Fields said.

Council member Aaron Stewart said he will take into account how many votes a person got if they ran in the election, but he also wants to be sure the person who takes Markins’ place will represent him well.

“Glen served with my grandfather on council,” Stewart said. “It breaks my heart because I really wanted to serve on there with him.”

If council cannot agree on a person to fill the vacancy within a month, Mayor Larry McDaniel can appoint someone.

The council is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 7 p.m.