Following a nomination from Mayor Peter Schwartzman, the Galesburg city council unanimously agreed to appoint Angelica Mangieri to complete the unexpired term of Bradley Hix in Ward 1.
Mangieri, a Galesburg native, was selected from eight applicants. She is a chef who in 2020 founded CommunityGro, an organization that aims to improve food access and sustainability.
Mangieri has also served as vice president of the Downtown Community Partnership and worked on events including Café in the Park and the Holly Days Parade.
In his nomination, Schwartzman said Mangieri will bring to the council a collaborative approach, strong community ties, and a focus on youth and family issues.
Ward 7 Council Member Steve Cheesman agreed, saying he sat down to talk with Mangieri before the vote.
“I was very impressed, Cheesman said. “She mentioned how much she would look forward to working with folks to, like all of us do, listen and learn and contribute. I think she will make a fine member of the council and add much to our group here.”
This is the third time Schwartzman has nominated a candidate to fill an unexpired term on the council since he was elected mayor. In 2021, he nominated Jaclyn Smith-Esters to Ward 5 to fill his council seat after that election. He also appointed Kevin Wallace that year to fill the Ward 4 seat when Lindsay Hillery stepped down.
“I would say, this time, I think the council’s attention to the matter was what I would hope. The due diligence you have done is very well appreciated, and I think speaks well to what Mr. Cheesman just pointed out,” Schwartzman said. “That we have built the ability to talk to one another and work with another, and this person will be a valuable member of this dais and moving the city forward.”
Hix stepped down from the seat because he is moving outside city limits. He was elected to a first term in 2019 and a second in 2023. The term runs through the spring of 2027.
Mangieri will be sworn in at a future meeting.
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