What happens next

Following the death Wednesday of DeKalb Mayor Frank Van Buer, city officials said aldermen will appoint either an acting mayor or a mayor pro tempore to fill the position. Van Buer took office in May 2005 and his term doesn't end until spring 2009. The city can appoint either a mayor pro tempore - who can sign documents as the mayor but only vote as an alderman - or an acting mayor who would fill all the duties of the mayor, City Clerk Donna Johnson said. If a mayor pro tempore is assigned, he or she would fill the position until an acting mayor is appointed, Johnson said. Only council members are eligible to fill the positions but if all seven decline, the position could be opened to non-council members, Johnson said. If a council member i