The recent local elections left a vacant seat on the town council. In accordance with the town council's co-opting procedure, an election of a new town councillor took place on Monday, June 19. Four candidates applied for the position. Each candidate was given time to talk about their application and afterwards they were asked to answer the same questions from the town council, after which voting by the existing councillors took place. It was interesting to be able to watch the process.
Sophie Judge was elected by a majority. She stressed her connection to Rye, which goes back several generations. Amongst other work, she has been involved with setting up the Christmas lights, the Maritime festivals, the Friends of Rye and she is involved with the Memorial Hospital. She is determined to continue investing in the town and said that she would like to reverse the decline in activities for young people. Sophie feels that there is a great need for affordable houses in Rye and expressed her hope that it would be possible for her children and the next generation in general to grow up and stay and live in Rye.
