SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio City Council has selected the person who will temporarily represent the northeast side council District 10 on Thursday.
Mike Gallagher was chosen to fill in for Councilman Clayton Perry, who is taking a sabbatical after he was involved in a hit-and-run crash.
On Thursday, the City Council interviewed finalists Gallagher, Jose Garcia and Pauline Rubio. Gallagher served as D10 councilman from 2014 to 2017 before Perry was elected; Garcia previously served as a city councilman in Victoria, Texas in the 1990s; and Rubio worked with the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
According to the city, the interim councilmember will serve until either the end of the term or when Councilman Perry returns.
Gallagher expressed that in order to help business run smoothly, he will lean on Perry for advice while he serves as his temporary replacement.
“I think he’s very, very important, and if we’re going to have continuity we have to hear what Councilman Perry has to say on the issues. I will take them into consideration,” Gallagher said, adding he spoke to Perry as recently as two days ago and mentioned that he’s still seeking rehabilitation.
"He sounded really good, I was really pleased to see, he was very positive and that he’s seeking the rehabilitation and so, let’s just wait and see what happens but I hope it all goes well for him," Gallagher said.
Gallagher said the community outreach opportunity played a role in his deciding to apply for the position.
“It was the phone calls and the emails and talking to staff. I wanted to make sure our District 10 staff was protected and that everyone was able to stay in their jobs and keep things running smoothly. It's not about Mike Gallagher, it's about District 10 and making sure it runs right,” Gallagher said.
He previously said he would not seek election to the position in May and will decline the salary offered for the job. He cited his role in pushing a previous charter amendment through to pay council members and felt it would be a conflict of interest to take the pay now.
Gallagher also hopes to continue serving as president of the Northeast Neighborhood Alliance. He will also keep all of the D10 staff on board, some of whom he hired during his time in office.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said during the meeting that he didn't want "to understate the seriousness of this vacancy." Perry is charged with failing to stop and give information after a hit-and-run crash last month. He appeared to be intoxicated, according to bodycam video and a warrant for his arrest, but never said he was drinking that night. It’s possible the San Antonio Police Department will charge him with DWI, but the DA's office tells KENS 5 it has not received the case yet.
Perry was given a vote of no-confidence by his council colleagues and allowed to take leave.
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