Russell Sparkman has been appointed to the Langley City Council.

Sparkman, the chairman of the city’s Planning Advisory Board, was the unanimous choice of the city council during a special meeting Wednesday.

Sparkman was sworn in after the council’s vote. He replaces former mayor Neil Colburn, who abruptly resigned last year after winning a seat on the council.

Five Langley residents applied for the post, but one, Planning Advisory Board member Fred Geisler, withdrew his name from consideration last week. The other candidates were former council candidate Craig Moore; Raymond McCullough, a newcomer to Langley politics; and Sharen Heath, an outspoken opponent against waterfront development in Langley.

Sparkman will not serve the entire term. The position will be up for grabs in the November 2009 election.