The first Latina to serve on Allentown City Council took her seat Wednesday night.

Cynthia Mota has been officially installed as a member of the council.

She's replacing Mike D'Amore who resigned to become a district judge.

Mota is the clinical director of the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

She is the first Latina woman and the first woman of color to serve on the council.

She says she has a lot to offer the city.

"I can bring many things to the table," said Mota. "One is diversity, second is another female. We need more to balance it out. And my expertise with dealing with drug and alcohol and criminal activities."

Mayor Ed Pawlowski offered his congratulations to Mota.

He says he is looking forward to working with her.

Meanwhile, Councilman Ray O’Connell was anonymously voted by the council to serve as vice president, previously held by Michael Schlossberg, Wednesday night.

Schlossberg has announced he is running for the state House seat currently held by Jennifer Mann.

A vote for president was put on a two-week delay in accordance for Councilman Frank Concannon. Concannon has been absent due to a family illness.

Council members Julio Guridy and current council president Peter G. Schweyer are the candidates for the position.

Council members hope to resolve the absence of a president “as quickly as possible.”