CORTLAND — City Council on Monday appointed Jon Kris Vadas to fill the vacant council seat created when Jim Bradley moved into the mayor’s office, restoring the body to full membership after weeks of political upheaval in the city.

The appointment followed a special meeting in which eight residents addressed council and answered the same three questions: why they wanted to serve, their vision for the city and what they hoped to accomplish on council. Each applicant was given five minutes to speak.

“To those who did not get selected, there are a ton of different opportunities in the city both for volunteering on committees and things like that. We did see very much value in a lot of the candidates that would be great resources on our committees or volunteering to help with the city,” said Councilman Kevin Piros. “We would love to have many of you be part of the vision of the city.”

Speaking in support of their candidacies, in addition to Vadas, were Dianne Buckner of Topaz Trail; Brian Orfin of Beechwood Drive; Joe Ciulla of Niles Cortland Road; Brandon Freeman of Fowler Street; Shawn Ruddy of Stonewood Drive; Branden Mullins of Greenbrier Drive; and Robert Wilson of Huntington Trail. Their backgrounds included business, entrepreneurship, development, contracting and health care.

The vacancy occurred following a series of leadership changes in the city, including the February recall of former Mayor Deidre Petrosky and council’s decision to appoint then-Councilman Jim Bradley to serve the remainder of the mayoral term. Bradley’s elevation left his council seat open.

Taken together, the candidates’ remarks showed broad agreement about Cortland’s priorities, even as applicants brought different professional experiences to the podium. Many emphasized transparency in government, careful growth, infrastructure investment, public safety, fiscal responsibility and preserving the city’s small-town character.

Vadas pointed to a background rooted in utility work and community involvement. He told council he has worked for Ohio Edison for about 20 years, including the past eight as a substation leader, where he gained experience in time management, safety and ethics.

He also cited volunteer work in the city, including about 15 years as president of a local Browns Backers chapter that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities such as the Children’s Rehabilitation Center and the American Cancer Society.

Vadas also has helped organize the Cortland Street Fair parade for roughly nine years and volunteers in youth sports, school fundraisers and other community activities. He said those experiences have given him regular contact with residents and insight into the community he hopes to represent.

“My goal is to represent the residents of Cortland with transparency and common sense,” Vadas said. “I will work with other council members to show our residents that we can do this as a team.”

Vadas was sworn in Monday night by Bradley. His first official duty — voting to adjourn the meeting.