Comimttee nominates three to fill Franklin seat

FRANKLIN — The Sussex County Republican Committee submitted three names to Franklin Borough this week to fill Councilman David Fanale's seat on the borough council until the November general election.

The council will meet with Dawn Fantasia, Joseph Martinez and Michael Rathbun and pick one of them at a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Whoever is chosen will serve until the general election on Nov. 4. The winner on Nov. 4 will take over immediately and serve until the term expires on Dec. 31, 2016.

Fanale, who was elected to a three-year term in November 2013, took office in January 2014, and stepped down on Wednesday, July 9. The county Republican Committee had 15 days — July 24 — to submit candidates to fill the seat for the end of the year. With the candidates selected, the Borough Council has 15 days to choose one. The deadline would have been Aug. 8 and the upcoming special meeting is within that time frame.

Fanale first came under fire at the March 11 council meeting for criticizing Patrolman Rafael Burgos, who was injured while on duty at a structure fire at Franklin’s Pet Center on Feb. 25, on his Facebook page.

Fanale was again criticized recently for another post on his Facebook page. The post depicts a cartoon character urinating on a symbol that is often used to represent Law Enforcement Officers who have fallen in the line of duty. The cartoon character is also displaying his middle finger.

Fantasia was one of the people who spoke at the July 8 Borough Council meeting speaking against Fanale. Martinez is co-chairman of the Recreation Committee and Rathbun is a member of the committee.