VILLA HILLS — Now that embattled Mayor Steve Clark has resigned, the focus is on who will replace him.

        Councilman Mike Sadouskas, chosen as temporary mayor March 7, said he is not actively lobbying for the mayor's job, but would accept it if offered.

        Should Mr. Sadouskas or another member of city government be named interim mayor this week, that would create a council vacancy.

        Some in this town rocked by recent political infighting would prefer that a new council member be chosen from among the leaders of a vocal citizens group. The group formed earlier this year in response to Mr. Clark's firings of a popular police chief and city clerk.

        “I don't want to tie myself down, but off the top of my head, Shelly Espich, Ed Niewahner and Jim Ciuccio come to mind,” Councilman Denny Stein said. All three were active in the citizens group, and Mr. Niewahner has headed the Crescent Villa Fire Authority.

        Ms. Espich said she was flattered to get phone calls from residents who thought she should accept the council seat, if offered. However, she said she prefers to win the seat on her own merits.

        Others say that a new council member — if a vacancy occurs — should be chosen from among the four write-in candidates who together won 22 percent of the vote in last fall's hotly contested council race.

        Lawyer Jeff Harmon, hired by a group last fall to investigate expenditures by a past Villa Hills administration, thinks council should choose one of the write-in candidates if a vacancy occurs.

        Write-in candidate Tom Vollmar had 1,198 votes, followed by Paul Reis, with 1,077; Cheryl King with 1,027; and Jerome Beagle with 144.

        “If you're really trying to make peace, why not pick one of those candidates that people stood in line two hours to vote for?” said Mr. Harmon of Edgewood.

        Villa Hills City Council is expected to choose an interim mayor at its regular meeting Wednesday. The new mayor would serve the rest of Mr. Clark's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2002.

        Council members Denny Stein and Tim Sogar — citing Mr. Sadouskas' leadership, temperament and penchant for teamwork — said they support making Mr. Sadouskas interim mayor, while council member Bob Kramer has said he is “leaning that way.”

        Council member Bob Krems said, “Anyone on council would do a wonderful job” as mayor, but he has not yet asked any council members whether they are interested. He also would not rule out choosing someone not on council to serve as interim mayor.

        Council member Julie Schuler could not be reached for comment.

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