By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – By the slimmest of margins, Marshfield aldermen are siding with Mayor Bob McManus’ choice for a spot on the commission that oversees the city’s police and fire departments.

With District Eight representative Rebecca Spiros absent, the Marshfield Common Council voted 5-4 last night to approve the appointment of former alderman, Gordy Earll to the Fire & Police Commission, replacing veteran member Nate Mueller.

With Earll citing health reasons for stepping down from the council last month, Alderman Tom Witzel questioned the appointment.

At a time when the city has had difficulty filling spots on its various committees, boards and commissions, Witzel felt the Mayor should not replace someone who is willing to serve.

Earll was presented as the mayor’s appointment only after his first choice, Marisa Steinbach, withdrew her name from consideration, for undisclosed reasons.

The mayor defended his decision to make the switch.

Earll’s appointment was the only one held over from last month, when the council approved the balance of the mayor’s committee assignments in the wake of the April election.

Alders Peter Hendler, Jason Zaleski, Witzel, and Chris Jockheck voted no to the appointment.