Atlantic City Council welcomes school board member who recently resigned

Former Atlantic City Board of Education member Patricia Bailey wasted no time getting back into public service.

Bailey, the former board vice president who resigned her position July 8, is now the newest at-large councilwoman in Atlantic City.

She fills the seat of Bruce Weekes, who announced his departure in September.

The city's Democratic Committee gave three names to council. But since Bailey was the first nominee and got unanimous support, she took the seat Wednesday.

Bailey was one of five school board members who often had conflicts on the board due to family members working for the district. She was also one of the deciding votes to end the superintendent search that led to the appointment of Dr. La'Quetta Small.

Those votes were made under the doctrine of necessity, which allows conflicted board members to vote.

Dr. Small, who is normally not seen at City Council meetings, was at the meeting, taking photos as Bailey was sworn in. 

Bailey is the second person appointed to fill a recently vacated seat.

    Interim Fifth Ward Councilman Mohammed Huq, left, at his first meeting, with now-former Councilman-At-Large Bruce Weekes.
  

Last month, Muhammad Huq was appointed to fill the Fifth Ward seat after Muhammad "Anjum" Zia was ousted due to a judge ruling he did not live in the city.

The judge originally ordered the city not to fill the seat until the special election. But days before last month's meeting, he changed his ruling.

Huq then was a deciding vote in supporting the city's wind farm plan, despite vocal opposition from many at the meeting. The plan goes through the Fifth Ward.