Eleven people have tossed their names into the hat to

represent the Chuckatuck borough on the Suffolk City Council.

City Clerk Erika Jenkins, who collected resumes until the noon Friday deadline, said the names of prospective appointees have been forwarded to council members for review over the weekend. She refused to confirm names submitted to complete the unexpired term of former Councilman E. Dana Dickens III.

Dickens, in the middle of his second term, stepped down last week, following his appointment as the new president and chief executive officer of Hampton Roads Partnership earlier this month.

The city council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 to screen resumes and possibly make an appointment.

Under state law, the city council has 45 days from the date of Dickens’ Jan. 13 resignation letter to appoint a registered voter from the Chuckatuck borough to complete the remainder of his term.

The names of several prospective candidates have been circulating in the community in recent days, including former City Manager Myles E. Standish, Planning Commissioner Joseph Barlow, Portsmouth attorney Ira Steingold and Caroline Martin,

a Suffolk Redevelopment

and Housing Authority Commissioner

and

retired

executive with Riverside Health System. With the exception of Standish, who refused to comment, all the candidates indicated last week that they were interested in being considered for the position.

Ralph declined to discuss the applicants or selection process, saying he considers it to be a personnel issue.

Once the new lawmaker is tapped, Clerk of Court Randy Carter will swear the appointed person at an upcoming council meeting, Ralph said.

Although he is hopeful a person will be named Monday, Ralph was unsure when the new appointee would be sworn into office.

&uot;We haven’t gotten to that point,&uot; he said. &uot;But we want to have someone on board as soon as possible.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com