JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)  Jefferson City swore in a new councilmember Monday, filling the Ward 3 seat left vacant by Derek Thomas’ resignation on June 2. Hal Dulle was appointed to the seat after receiving five votes from the City Council, while Susan Cook received the remaining four. Thomas resigned in June after moving out of state because of medical issues affecting his family. Before the vote, Ward 2 Councilman Mike Lester voiced his support for Cook, saying he did not believe Dulle took his application seriously. Cook and Dulle were two of three residents who submitted letters of interest for the position, according to city documents. “Mr. Dulle has appeared less serious than Mrs. Cook about wanting to serve on the council. At every stage of the process, he seems to give minimal effort. His letter of interest was just that, a couple of sentences announcing that he had interest,” Lester said during the meeting. “His endorsements from Ward 3 residents consisted of his wife, Scott Spencer and Mrs. Spencer.” Lester claimed Dulle had not reached out to him or several other council members to discuss the position, unlike Cook, who he said demonstrated a greater “commitment to serve.” Despite Lester’s comments, the council still voted 5-4 in favor of Dulle, with councilmen Randy Hoselton, Chris Leuckel, Shane Kampeter, Jeff Ahlers and Cody Holt all voting in favor.  Dulle, a retired Vietnam veteran, previously served as executive director of the Missouri Veterans Commission. In 2018, he received the Kevin Meinhardt Memorial Award for Distinguished Public Service. In his letter of interest, which was fewer than 200 words, Dulle highlighted his eight years of service on the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau Board. He also noted he previously chaired the USS Jefferson City Submarine Committee, which coordinates visits to Hawaii with the submarine crew. While he is no longer the chair, the letter states he is still a member of the committee. The post Hal Dulle is sworn in as next Ward 3 Jefferson City councilman appeared first on ABC17NEWS. ...read more read less