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After seven weeks without a mayor, the Hayden Town Board of Trustees is expected to name Joseph Schminkey's replacement Thursday.

The Town Board is expected to select a replacement from its own ranks, for appointment effective immediately. Trustees Ken Gibbon, Richard Bush and Lorraine Johnson are the short-list of those being considered for the position, Town Manager Russ Martin said.

"It's better stability if one of the board members steps forward, than bringing in someone off the street who doesn't know anything," Mayor Pro-Tem Chuck Grobe said. A former mayor himself, Grobe is expected to remain mayor pro-tem, though his future role is up to the discretion of the Town Board.

Former Mayor Schminkey resigned Oct. 1 after leasing his business, Iron-horse Automotive, and entering semi-retirement at a new home outside of town. The mayor of Hayden is required to live within city limits.

Schminkey was elected in 2006, and his replacement will serve out the remainder of his two-year term.

"They'll fill basically a lame duck position - they're only in that position until April," Martin said. "It's tough because they only get a little flavor of it for a short time."

Gibbon has expressed interest in taking on the position, and both he and Trustee Johnson are term-limited, making them logical choices, Martin said. Bush will be up for re-election in April, which makes him a natural candidate, as well, Martin said.

"There's no real contention to it; it's just about who can put in the time," Martin said.

Providing the replacement mayor vacates a Town Board seat, the board will have 60 days to fill that position, according to state law.