T-L File Photo Bridgeport Councilman Loyal Springer, left, chose not to run in November’s election, leaving his seat vacant this year. Council is looking to fill two empty seats and accepting letters of interest from the public. Also pictured is Councilwoman Michelle Lucarelli.

BRIDGEPORT — Although Tuesday’s meeting was canceled, the mayor said Bridgeport Village Council remains short two members and is looking to the community to fill the positions.

Mayor Norma Teasdale said Tuesday’s meeting was canceled due to inclement weather and the illness of a couple members of the board. The meeting has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 26 in council chambers.

Next week’s meeting will be council’s first of the new year, and there will be two empty seats after no residents threw their names into the ring during the November election.

Residents were asked to vote for four candidates during the election; however, only two names appeared on the ballot — incumbents Robert Bennington and Ben Lenz, who were both re-elected. Seat vacancies were left by Teasdale, who was elected mayor in November, and Councilman Loyal Springer, who opted not to run.

Teasdale was previously council president and acting mayor of the village since March 2020, when former mayor David Smith was being investigated. Smith was later convicted of theft in office after more than $20,000 in village funds went missing.

“If I hadn’t run for mayor, my term was up (as a council member),” Teasdale said.

Teasdale said the village is now accepting letters of interest to fill the council vacancies.

Interested parties can send their letters to the mayor’s office at 301 Main St. in Bridgeport. She said they are due by Tuesday, the day before council’s next meeting.

As of yet, the village has not received any interest from the community in filling the seats. The person must be a resident of the village to apply and community oriented, Teasdale said.

“We’d like to see somebody that’s really interested in the village and wants the best for its residents,” she added.

Council members will interview applicants during the next meeting then vote to appoint new members. The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday.