The Suffolk City Council emerged from its closed session Monday united in the choice of Planning Commissioner Joseph Barlow to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman E. Dana Dickens III.

Barlow, who has a lengthy history of service on city boards, said he looks forward to representing the Chuckatuck

borough for the next 18 months.

&uot;I’m very honored,&uot; Barlow said. &uot;There was a lot of competition and I assume they were all good candidates.

&uot;I appreciate the action and will do the best I can to do a good job.&uot;

Barlow, a Crittenden resident, was also tapped to complete the unexpired term of Del. S. Chris Jones in 1998, when Jones went to the general Assembly.

Barlow was one of 11 Chuckatuck residents who applied for the seat.

Dickens resigned last week after accepting a new post as chief executive officer of the Hampton Roads Partnership, an economic development alliance committed to facilitating new growth opportunities for the region.

After the unanimous vote to appoint Barlow, Councilman Curtis R. Milteer Sr. said, &uot;We’re looking forward to a smooth transition.&uot;

Councilman Calvin Jones noted the numerous applicants interested in the post, adding, &uot;We appreciate their interest in the city and what’s going on…

&uot;The 2006 election is coming up and hopefully all those folks will appear on the ballot.&uot;

Barlow will be sworn in Feb. 2.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com