Lifelong Lansford resident Samantha Yasson is borough council's newest member.

Council members who attended the public meeting Wednesday voted 3-1, without discussion, to appoint Yasson to serve the remaining two years of former president Adam Webber's term in office.Council members Mary Kruczek, Lenny Kovach and president Rose Mary Cannon voted to appoint Yasson; Tommy Vadyak was opposed, and Andrew Snyder and Danielle Smith were absent.Yasson, 34 and a Republican, is a familiar face in town; she works at Valley Athletic Supply in the Panther Valley Mini Mall on Ridge Street. She's active in the community and said in her application letter that she is 'committed to improve the economy and morale of Lansford."Webber, also a Republican, resigned as of Jan. 3, citing in a letter "mistreatment of employee's and the failure to provide a work environment that is not hostile by some members of this council" as among his reasons for quitting.Yasson was one of three applicants for the position. Cannon described all three as good, sound candidates.In other matters, a motion to reappoint the assistant secretary failed for lack of support.In other personnel matters, council plans for hire a clerk to help secretary-treasurer Beth Seymour, who must devote most of her time to entering financial data into the borough's revamped system.Council also forwarded an application from Corey Lee Hamm of Tamaqua seeking to join the borough police department, and reappointed Jay Gallagher and Bob Lakata to the sewer authority.