Wednesday night, seven applicants made their case to be appointed to the Chapel Hill Town Council. Now council members must weigh the needs of a diverse community against the results of the recent election.

In his presentation to the town council, applicant Jason Baker used his time not to present his own credentials, but to push for an African-American presence on the now all-white council.

With Jim Merritt’s loss in the November election, the Chapel Hill Town Council is without a black representative for the first time since 1953.  As the council considers making an appointment to fill Bill Strom’s seat, some, like Baker, say the diversity of the council should be a factor in that decision.

Two black candidates have applied for the seat, Donna Bell and Aaron Shah. Both have served on the boards of local nonprofits and both have ties to the historically black Northside neighborhood. Donna Bell says her experience with growth and gentrification in that neighborhood give her a perspective lacking on the current council.

Others argue that the results of the recent election indicate the will of the voters and should guide the council’s decision. Council members received more than 150 emails in support of fifth-place candidate Matt Pohlman, who finished just 200 votes behind newly elected council member Gene Pease. Pohlman says his appointment would represent the fulfillment of the democratic process.

Of the original 12 applicants, two, Penny Rich and Gene Pease, won council seats in November’s election. Jon DeHart, Joshua Ravitch and Lee Pavao have removed their names from consideration. The Chapel Hill Town Council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday night to choose between the remaining seven applicants.