Former 7th District County Board member Clifford Simonson’s death led to a dispute over the new vacancy at the DeKalb County Board meeting Wednesday. Officials disagreed on whether Simonson’s vacancy was official on Aug. 1, the day he passed, or on the day of the meeting.

Ron Matekaitis, DeKalb County State’s Attorney, said he believed Simonson’s vacancy was declared at the meeting. However, Joseph Wiegand, R- District 1, said he disagrees.

“I think that Mr. Matekaitis offered his best opinion,” Wiegand said. “I believe that the opinion of our county election officials and county elected officers that a vacancy exists at the time of death.”

The county board agreed to a new resolution to declare Simonson’s vacancy on the day of his death.

The resolution states Simonson will be replaced by a representative of his party and the representative will have to run for re-election Nov. 2

Wiegand said he sees two advantages in declaring Simonson’s vacancy on Aug. 1.ad “We are confirming our actions to state status, and wedenore are giving an opportunity to the people of the 7th District toe elect their representative,” he said. t SNorthern Democrats, sees it differently.

“The Republicans amended and voted on their own resoluution so that the seat in District 7 would be up for election on Nov. 2,” Dubin said. sentative to replace Simonson.

“We’re looking for someone who is a Democrat, the best and the brightest, and has connections within the community,” she said.

Right now, Dubin is in the process of looking for a repre

However, Eileen Dubin, chair of DeKalb County23