TRR photo by David Hulse Sean Rieber

Rieber replaces Kurlander

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO — Sean Rieber began his legislative primer last week as the Rock Hill real estate appraiser and broker attended his first round of legislative committee meetings.

The 26-year-old Democrat was selected for his first stint in elected office by a 5-0, vote at a special session of the Sullivan County Legislature last week. Republicans Rodney Gaebel and Jodi Goodman abstained from the vote.

He fills the District 9 vacancy left following the controversial departure and resignation of Republican-Conservative, Steven Kurlander.

Legislative chair Rusty Pomeroy (D-3) said Rieber will assume the chair of the Real Property Committee, a former Kurlander assignment, replacing Leni Binder (D-7), who took the chair after Pomeroy removed Kurlander from the committee last year.

“I think my  real estate experience will be an important advantage for the committee,” Rieber said.

Rieber is expected to join the Planning and Community Development Committee and has been named to the Public Works Committee. “The county landfill is in his district, so the assignment is appropriate,” Pomeroy said.

Following his first round of committee sessions last week, Rieber said he has no immediate agenda upon entering office. “Basically, I want to get the information and learn the process,” he said.

Rieber said he had no qualms about his being a Democrat replacing a two-term incumbent Republican. “I’m qualified and I think my constituents will feel the same way,” he said.

Rieber will serve the remainder of the year with the appointment, and a special November election will decide who finishes the term through 2004.

Republican James Carnell is expected to be Rieber’s opponent in the fall.