On Jan. 3, the Town Council unanimously approved Mike Shove to fill the seat on the council vacated by Tom Hollinger, who passed away last month.

The final days of 2023 brought some sad news to Clinton: Town Council member (R) Tom Hollinger passed away on Christmas Eve following complications from a medical procedure.

Besides the hole in the hearts of Clinton residents, Hollinger’s death also left a vacant seat on the Town Council. At the meeting on Jan. 3, several members of the Republican Town Committee (RTC) showed up to endorse Shove’s nomination to fill the vacancy.

Shove has been a Clinton resident for more than 20 years. His service to Clinton includes being a member of the Public Works Commission, where he served as chairman, as well as the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department.

Shove said that recently, he had the desire to increase his service to Clinton and acknowledged that while Hollinger left big shoes to fill, he is ready and able to contribute to the town.

In response to a question from council member Brian Roccapriore, Shove identified finding a new town manager and increasing economic growth as two of the biggest challenges.

RTC chairman Wayne Buchanan praised Shove’s leadership and management skills and called Shove “Not only someone who can fill a feat but someone who can really contribute to this town and this Town Council.”

Once Shove is officially sworn in with the town clerk he will become a member of the council. His term expires in November 2025.

Hollinger Remembered

The Jan. 3 meeting was the first regular Town Council meeting since Hollinger’s passing, and the meeting began with a moment of silence in his honor.

Following the moment of silence, council member Chris Aniskovich spoke briefly about Hollinger, who he called “not only a colleague but someone I considered a dear friend.”

While noting the flood of comments and remembrances that appeared on social media following the news, Aniskovich said, “The outpouring of support we get in this town has been wonderful.”

Most of all, Aniskovich said that he would miss his friend’s smile.

“I was lucky enough to have an office next to Clinton Sports, and he always came to my office to talk and had a big smile on his face,” he continued.

Aniskovich also expressed his condolences to Hollinger’s family.

“I just want to be able to continue to lend our support to them and, as a community, keep them in our thoughts,” Aniskovich said.

Hollinger was elected to a four-year term on the Town Council in 2021, where he received the most votes of the five candidates who ran for Town Council that year. Besides the Town Council, Hollinger was a former member of the Board of Assessment Appeals, the Board of Finance, and the Charter Revision Commission. Hollinger had also been a member of various youth programs and had a stint as the president of the Clinton Touchdown Club in addition to running the store Clinton Sports.

Beyond politics, Hollinger was a familiar and friendly face for many around Clinton. Several town officials, including Town Council Chairperson Carrie Allen, expressed their condolences at the meeting.

“It’s been a very difficult two weeks, and we all know why. It’s been a shock and very difficult, but not more than it has been for Sarah Hollinger,” Allen said.