OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — On Tuesday afternoon, the Omaha City Council voted to remove Councilman Vinny Palermo from office.
"This is not a happy day, not a happy day for Omaha," said Brinker Harding, district 6 representative, Omaha City Council.
The council voted unanimously for removal six to zero.
On April 21, Vinny Palermo and three other men were indicted on multiple counts of alleged fraudulent activity in federal court.
City Council President Pete Festersen and Council Vice President Aimee Melton issued a statement following the vote:
"Today the City Council acted, at its earliest opportunity, to remove Councilmember Vinny Palermo from the City Council for violating Section 2.05 of the City Charter after missing three consecutive months of meetings without being excused. We will now begin the process of filling this vacancy in a manner consistent with state statutes and the Charter."
Now it is up to the council to appoint a new representative, something advocates of South Omaha are keeping a close eye on.
"It's kind of fun and exciting, because it's like we've got a hope, at least to look forward to. We are going to get somebody to represent us," said Rebecca Barrientos-Patlan, a community advocate in South Omaha.
Barrientos-Patlan, who ran against Vinny Palermo previously, told 3 News Now Reporter Molly Hudson Tuesday, she plans to apply. She said she wants someone who is born and raised in South Omaha.
Ben Salazar, another community advocate within South Omaha, is unsure if he will apply, at this point, but he hopes to help familiarize the community with the new candidates.
"Now we get into the work of trying to find candidates who are qualified to occupy that seat," Salazar said.
But there is still a long way to go before someone is sitting in that seat.
"This is still a drawn-out process, a total of maybe 5 months before we find a replacement for Mr. Palermo," Salazar said.
"It will be thorough and thoughtful process, but also done with urgency as we know it is important to restore representation to District 4 as soon as possible. And it is important that city council gets back to full strength," said Pete Festersen, President of Omaha City Council.
So what does the process look like?
Applications are due by August 15 at 3 p.m. to Elizabeth Butler, the City Clerk.
You must be a registered voter who has lived in District 4 for at least 6 months.
Background checks will happen before the most qualified candidates are interviewed in an open meeting on September 7.
Council plans to elect a new member at the September 12 council meeting. The new District 4 representative is scheduled to take an oath of office on September 26.
More details and the application for those interested in filling the District 4 council seat will be available on the city council website.
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