By: Rebecca Miller
The odd situation in which Stryker Village Council finds themselves was discussed at the November 15, 2021 council meeting, that being that none of the four members up for re-election remembered to get their names on the ballot in November.
Mayor Joe Beck said that with all that has happened over the past year, he forgot to remind them and they did not remember either, so they find themselves in a position that is rather different.
Village Clerk, Beth Rediger said that she reminded them in June, but did not think to mention it again at the July council meeting and their names had to be turned in by August 4 to be on the ballot.
The four council members, Vicki Cameron, Sam Farmer, Lee Armstrong and Dave Benner, needed to submit a letter of interest if they want to retain their seat, along with anyone from the village who would like to join Council.
It may seem inconceivable that everyone forgot, but that is the case. Letters of interest have already been turned in by Cameron, Farmer and Benner, as of November 23, 2021, and Armstrong indicated at the November council meeting that he plans to turn one in as well.
As of November 23, no one else from the village has turned in a letter of interest, but they have until December 1, 2021.
It is planned for the letters to be reviewed and at some point by early January, it will be determined who will hold the seats. Those terms are supposed to begin on January 1, 2022. “The village is working with legal council, Village Solicitor Katie Rakes, to ensure the vacant seats are filled according to the Ohio Revised Code,” Mayor Joe Beck said in a phone interview.
There are a few options open to them and he said that if the Village Council does not determine who fills the seats, as he is recommending they do at an early January Special Meeting, he will appoint them.
The options considered include: 1. the two who did not need to run for council this year, Kim Feehan and Sean Ingram, will vote to fill one seat. The three will then vote to fill the fourth seat, the four will vote to fill the fifth and they will all vote to fill the last seat.
Or option 2. The two, Feehan and Ingram will appoint all four. Ms. Rakes said in a phone conversation that she did some research and according to the Ohio statutes, both of these, or having the mayor appoint them all, are permissible.
Rakes told council it seems that one at a time with each new one joining the voting process, seems a better way, but they are free to choose the option.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com