Detroit City Council in discussions to replace disgraced ex-member Gabe Leland By Ingrid Kelley and David Komer online producer Published Detroit effort to replace disgraced ex-councilman Gabe Leland underway Now the process begins to determine who replaces him. Now the process begins to determine who replaces him. "The charter obligates the council to appoint a person to fulfill the vacant position vacated by Mr. Leland," said David Whittaker, director, legislative policy division. "The council shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy within 60 days of the date it became vacant." But with the general election just a few months away in November, some question if an appointment makes the most sense.