Blakeman hands over the reins
Rick Noel assumes mayor’s position in Columbiana, Banner named to council
Trending
COLUMBIANA -- A lot of changes were made within local government on Tuesday, the direct result of the official resignation of Mayor Bryan Blakeman.
Blakeman resigned effective immediately during the Tuesday city council meeting and councilman Rick Noel was sworn in to take his place. Noel was automatically appointed to fill the mayoral position due to being president of council.
Blakeman will no longer serve as mayor due to being elected to serve as Columbiana County treasurer next year. Blakeman served two terms as mayor and prior to that spent one term on city council.
"When someone sets out for public office, they have great intentions to improve upon the office they take. Rarely does it work out the way they plan. I am confident I am leaving this office in a better place than I received it," Blakeman said.
Blakeman outlined several achievements accomplished within the city over the last decade, including the purchase of new equipment and vehicles, moving from self-funded to private insurance, the implementation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area and Community Reinvestment Area, several new infrastructure and traffic improvement projects and millions of dollars worth of improvements at Harvey S. Firestone Park.
Many projects received grant funding and park improvements were also done with public and private donations.
Blakeman thanked council and those in the city who helped make the achievements possible.
"I would especially like to thank the residents of Columbiana for taking a chance on me when I promised to shake up the status quo. I think it is safe to say we did that," Blakeman said.
"I want to personally thank Bryan for his service to the city of Columbiana," Noel said.
Once Noel was seated as mayor, council then voted to fill Noel's vacated seat on council.
The city received six applications for the open seat following the Dec. 5 meeting in which it was announced that a vacancy would be forthcoming.
Applicants were Amanda Banner, Rick Pennell, John Yenges, Scott Yuhanick, Kathy Keaggy and Raymond Wagner.
The applicants were all nominated by council to be considered for a vote, with the majority vote cast in favor of Banner.
Councilmen Dan Dattilio and Dick McBane cast their votes for applicant Keaggy.
Keaggy congratulated Banner on the appointment.
"I want to thank you all for the support and I am looking forward to this opportunity," Banner said. "I am excited to work with you all for the betterment of Columbiana."
Banner previously served the city as municipal attorney following the resignation of Dan Blasdell in 2017. Banner spent a year in that position until leaving for a job with Ohio 7th District Court of Appeals Judge Kathleen Bartlett.
Banner was currently serving the city as public representative on the planning commission.
Now that she has been appointed to council she must vacate the seat on the commission leaving an opening there for a new appointment.
The city also has an opening on the board of zoning appeals following the recent death of a member.
Those interested in the seat on the commission and the board of zoning appeals should turn in applications to the city by Dec. 30.