Business owner Harry DeVrieze was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Honesdale Borough Council created by the resignation of Nick Slish. He assumed his position at the borough meeting on August 13.

Slish had resigned over a controversy with a zoning issue.

DeVrieze, the owner of the Lakewood Stair and Millwork Company, also owns the Antique Emporium at 1040 Main Street in Honesdale were he resides with his wife and twin children. He has been in business for 29 years.

DeVrieze lost in the last election but decided to apply for the vacancy when a number of people who voted for him urged him to apply.

“I’ve been a resident of Wayne County for 37 years and a resident of the borough for six years,” he said. He will assume Slish’s job of chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee of the council and will serve on the council through the end of Slish’s term in 2014.

DeVrieze said that he has had considerable experience in the building business with engineering skills, which will help him with the borough’s building codes.

“I have no preset agenda at all and will make the most sincere effort I can in office,” he said. “It’s important that everyone get along and do their best for the people. People can disagree but they must respect those differences.”

As far as promoting businesses, DeVrieze said, “I don’t know whether governments can help business, I think we have to help ourselves.”

In other borough matters, the council approved the application of the Tractor Supply Company, which will be located in the space occupied by the former Salvation Army store on Route 6. This will allow the company to move ahead with permits from PennDOT.