Keith Vandervort
ELY – Chuck Novak returned to the Ely mayor’s seat Jan. 5 after accepting the city council’s 5-1 vote to appoint him as the interim mayor.
Novak was defeated in the general election last fall by Eric Urbas, although Urbas had pulled out of the race last summer due to health concerns. His name remained on the Nov. 3 ballot, and Urbas was elected mayor by a 925-800 margin. Urbas declined to accept the will of Ely voters, setting up a potential temporary vacuum of leadership.
In their first meeting of the new year on Jan. 5, under the leadership of Acting Mayor Jerome Debeltz, council members approved resolutions declaring a vacancy in the office of mayor, ordering a special election for the office, and appointing an interim mayor.