Defeated Yardley Councilman To Serve 2 More Years (ICYMI)

YARDLEY, PA — A Yardley Borough council member who was defeated in his bid for re-election last month will serve two more years on the board, after being named to fill the seat of a colleague who recently resigned her position.

Ryan Berry, who appeared on the November ballot as both a Republican and independent, was selected by his fellow council members Tuesday night to serve out the remaining two years on Councilwoman Sandi Brady's four-year term.

Brady, a Republican, resigned from the council the day after the Nov. 7 elections. She cited what she called a "toxic, bullying culture" on the council and, specifically, an altercation with a councilman-elect, who would later admit having operated what he called a parody Facebook account that used racist and homophobic language.

In turn, that councilman-elect — Democrat Patrick McGovern — announced that, due to the controversy, he will not accept his position on Yardley council when new members are sworn in next month.

That position will be filled by the new council. Democrats won all three open positions on Yardley Borough Council in the election and will take over as its majority party in January.

Berry, who resigned his old post on the council to apply for Brady's, was sworn into office Tuesday night after the council's vote.

"Excited to rejoin Yardley Boro Council — humbled as well and very privileged to continue to serve on the governing body," Berry wrote on Facebook. "I thank council and the community for your confidence in me and hope to serve out the term honorably and by making the best decisions."

Four people had applied to fill Brady's post on the council: Berry, investment banker Matt Curtin, educator Demetrios Houmas and Akvile Montvilaite, a recent college graduate.

Council members Caroline Thompson, David Bria, Bryon Marshall and Matthew Ross voted in favor of appointing Berry, with member Mike Ruttle voting against.

Thompson, a Democrat, recommended Berry's appointment as a member of the council's community outreach committee.

"It is an unexpected task that this council would need to make an appointment at all, taking the place of the voters in deciding who will serve them on council," she said. "Quite frankly it is uncomfortable and daunting. In this regard, it seems right to choose the next-highest vote getter from the most recent election. Ryan Berry is that individual."

She also noted that Berry's experience will be helpful as a new council takes office and that he was also the only one of the four applicants with extensive community service experience in Yardley.

Council will not fill Berry's old position, since the new council will be taking office in a matter of weeks.