By John Kiesewetter
Enquirer staff writer

MIDDLETOWN - Four Second Ward residents - including two who frequently attend City Council meetings - have applied to fill the unexpired council term of the late Robert "Sonny" Hill Jr.

Greg Tyus, who lost re-election to the Middletown Board of Education last November, and Rosa Lean Lindsey, a member of the Middletown chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, filed applications by Friday's 5 p.m. deadline.

James Nathan Surgenor and Helen Edwards also submitted applications to the council clerk's office at the City Building.

Tyus, pastor of United Missionary Baptist Church, has served on the city's United Way board and Middfest International board, in addition to the school board. He has been a vocal participant at many city council meetings.

Lindsey is the local NAACP political adviser.

Mayor Bob Wells said council will review applications and interview the candidates. Final interviews will be public.

Hill's term expires Jan. 1, 2006. He died of bone cancer on June 22. He was 69.

The retired Armco Steel employee, and owner of Robert Hill and Sons Plastering Co., had represented the Second Ward for all 11 years the city has had proportional representation. In 2001, he became the city's first African-American mayor when his colleagues appointed him.

At Tuesday's council meeting, Hill's family was presented with a resolution naming him "honorary mayor emeritus" for his "exemplary leadership and outstanding service."

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E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com