Man fills empty council seat

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — A forthcoming elected official assumed his seat one month ahead of schedule, filling a vacancy left by his predecessor due to health reasons. Alec Bonawit, who ran unopposed this fall for Vermilion's 5th Ward seat, took office on Dec. 1. Bonawit will complete the final two meetings of 2025 before beginning his full two-year elected term in January. He assumed his position early to fill a vacancy for this seat created when former Ward 5 councilman Brian Holmes resigned in mid-November for health reasons. At the time of the resignation, officials said the seat would likely remain unfilled because the formal appointment process would take 30 days. During Monday's meeting, however, council president John Gabriel explained that having the 5th Ward seat filled for the remaining sessions would help avoid any tie votes and allow the incoming representative to begin serving immediately. Because the swearing-in occurred at the end of the meeting, Bonawit did not participate in any votes during the Dec. 1 meeting. He will take part in council business beginning with the next scheduled meeting. I'm grateful to be representing all of Ward 5," Bonawit said.