NEWPORT — Small business owner Angel Aparicio will fill the vacant seat on the Newport City Council.
Three candidates interviewed for the vacant council position during Tuesday’s work session. Originally four candidates were eyeing the vacancy left by Ryan Parker when he resigned in May, but one applicant withdrew.
Aparicio introduced himself as a small business owner with a blue-collar background and well connected to Newport’s immigrant and Latino community.
As a lifelong Newport resident, he has worked at several businesses in town from fast food restaurants to lumber yards before going to technical school. Now he works in the auto repair industry and co-owns the food truck El Faro in Newport.
“I appreciate his voice and his perspective — we need all of that,” said Councilor Steven Hickman.
During deliberation, four councilors were in favor of appointing Aparicio while Councilor Cynthia Jacobi was in favor of candidate Mike Kloeck, a grocery manager who has served on several committees. Councilor CM Hall wanted to appoint Ashley Bixler, a business owner who served on the city’s budget committee.
In the end, the city council unanimously passed the motion to appoint Aparicio.
“I’m really happy and I’m ready to serve my community,” Aparicio told The Lincoln Chronicle.
Aparicio will fill the position for the remainder of Parker’s term until January 2027. He will be sworn in at the Sept. 15 council meeting.
- Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle
