Gary Barton had high praises for Tim Wheeler.

Selected as the provisional appointment to the Ripon City Council a week earlier, he called Wheeler “an outstanding council person and a person of high character.”

Barton added: “I hope I can fill his shoes.”

He took the seat previously occupied by Wheeler, who stepped down last month after announcing that he moved his family to Montana.

Barton, who spent the past five years or so on the Ripon Planning Commission, emerged from a strong field of eight candidates to serve the next 11 months on the council.

Elected leaders voted 4-0, appointing Barton to the vacant post on Tuesday. City Clerk Lisa Roos administered the oath of office.

Council also underwent its annual reorganization of seating. Dean Uecker, under the ordinance, moved up the ladder and will serve as mayor, taking over from Daniel de Graaf, who went from Seat No. 1 to Seat No. 4 under the rotating system.

Michael Restuccia moved up a notch to become vice mayor. Leo Zuber jumped up to Seat No. 3.

“I thank everyone for their kindness and support of the past year,” said de Graaf of his time as mayor.

Restuccia thanked him of his service. “You did an excellent job,” he said.