Trip Brennan Appointed to Fill His Dad's City Council Seat

Trip Brennan, son of the late Rochester Hills City Councilman J. Martin Brennan Jr., was appointed Monday night to fill his dad's spot on City Council.

after battling cancer. His son, whose name means "triple," as he is legally J. Martin Brennan III, will serve out the term of his father's District 2 seat, which was up for re-election in November.

In addition to the Monday night meeting, Trip Brennan will serve one more meeting in November before the new District 2 councilmember is sworn in.

He is the youngest councilmember in the city's history; his appointment also creates the city's first father-son service on City Council.

Councilmember Vern Pixley offered an amendment to the City Council agenda to appoint Trip Brennan.

Pixley said the appointment was an honor and a "fine tribute" to his father.

Marty Brennan was elected to the District 2 seat in 2007. Because of his cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments, he chose not to seek re-election this year.

Trip Brennan graduated from in June. While in high school, he was a member of the Rochester Hills Government Youth Council and active in planning and participating in community events.

He thanked city council members for the appointment.

"I don't just take this as a symbolic gesture from the city; I do want to be a public servant," said Trip Brennan after taking his father's empty seat behind the City Council desk.

"To all of my new constituents: I am your representative, and I want your voice to be heard," he said.

Council members voted 5-1 to appoint Trip Brennan to the seat. Councilmember James Rosen voted against the idea, saying it was not appropriate.

"I understand all the sentiment, but I don't think it was well thought-out," he said.