Council members cast multiple rounds of votes Tuesday evening before selecting an interim mayor, following the recent resignation of former Mayor Chad-Alan Carr.
Alison Lintal, an adjunct professor of public policy at Gettysburg College, was appointed to the role. A registered Democrat, her term will run through Jan. 3, 2028.
Lintal earned her law degree at the University of Miami School of Law in 2010. She attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. for her undergraduate degree.
She is also the owner of Hidden Wisdom Yoga, located on Carlisle St.
In her statement to council, Lintal emphasized that her background as a lawyer, business owner, educator, and parent gives her a well-rounded perspective to serve as mayor, particularly in addressing housing affordability, demographic shifts, and long-term community sustainability. She said Gettysburg must remain accessible and welcoming, warning that rising costs and population changes threaten that goal.
Lintal focused on rebuilding trust through listening, transparency, and aligning actions with community values, stressing that the mayor should serve as an impartial listener who ensures residents feel heard, even when outcomes differ. She also highlighted the need for calm, value-driven leadership during a period of transition, along with collaboration and proactive planning to balance public safety with accessibility. Overall, she framed the mayor as a connector and representative of the community whose primary role is to listen, build relationships, and act in the public’s collective interest.
Before selecting Lintal,council heard from 12 candidates who met eligibility requirements: Lintal, Wendy Allen, Chris Berger, John Buchheister, Rita Frealing, Luke Frigon, Nancy Gudmestad, Juliana Love, Vanessa Rice, Kenneth Serfass, David Todd, and Kristin Webb.
Voting proceeded in multiple rounds, with support shifting as lower vote-getters were eliminated and preferences consolidated. The process moved from a split field in Round 1 to a 2–2–2 tie in Round 2, with Lintal pulling ahead in Round 3, and finally a 5–1 majority in the final round, when support coalesced around her selection as mayor.
Image caption: Lintal (left) was sworn in by Wendy Flax, serving as the notary for the meeting
