Politics & Government

Dennis Kucinich Stops By As New Council Is Sworn In

Shuffling of seats, addition of new members gives the next council a new look

got a new look Jan. 3, with the exit of some longstanding members and the addition of new ones.

Greg Zilka, who has been running council meetings for years as the council president, moved into the mayor’s seat, two seats to the left from the new council president, Martin O'Donnell.

O’Donnell, a nine-year councilman, previously ran meetings in Zilka’s rare absence.

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Rob James was sworn in as the new Ward I councilman, replacing Tim Rush, who opted not to run to retain his seat. The three unopposed council members whose terms expired Jan. 1, Jennifer Fenderbosch, David Kos and Larry Meiners, were also sworn in for another four-year term.

Judge Darrel Bilancini swore in the council members as well are repeating the swearing in for Zilka.

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Council will maintain only six members through the third week of January, when a new council member is selected to replace Zilka’s at-large seat.

Lawyer Abe Lieberman has been selected by Zilka to be the city’s new law director. Also appointed were Gary Gerrone as the Recreation Director, Tom Carleton as the Chief Building Official, Joe Reitz as the City Engineer and Nancy Bryan as Finance Director.

Also appointed were: Jason Hammond to Planning Commission;Ken Sadd and Andrew Perry to the Recreation Commission; John Morgan to Civil Service Commission, Bill Gallagher to the Historic Preservation Commission; Wally Paine, Deb Beard and Judi Kaminsky to Historical Preservation Commission; Joe Addam and John Hall to the Income Tax Board of Review and Tom Harmon to the Affirmative Action Committee.

Council will also set its annual calendar at the annual organizational meeting.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth stopped by the council meeting to congratulate the new members and appointees. Kucinich is expected to run against Marcy Kaptur for the new congressional district that will include Avon Lake. Kaptur was present at Zilka's formal swearing in on Dec. 30.


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