Yenges sworn in to Columbiana Council
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COLUMBIANA -- The city swore in its newest city council member and bid a fond farewell to outgoing member Dick McBane during the most recent meeting.
Council welcomed John Yenges to his seat on council for the first time. He is serving in the seat formerly held by the late Dan Bekar.
The city presented a proclamation to Bekar's family on behalf of his service during the meeting.
The Dec. 19 meeting was the last for Dick McBane, who will be replaced in January by new council member Ty Graham.
Both Yenges and Graham ran in the November general election to serve on council for the first time.
McBane did not run for re-election.
McBane's professional work experience includes nearly 20 years in natural gas exploration and development, serving as manager of R&D gas research institute.
He also spent two years as manager of internet business development for the Gas Technology Institute and just under 10 years as project manager for Dames & Moore.
Columbiana Mayor Rick Noel said that McBane's professional experience in the well field served the city over the years, specifically regarding the water wells.
"The amount of knowledge that Dick brought to the table was just unbelievable," he said. "We have wells all over the city and this man who went all over the world and is an expert in the field ... we always leaned on this man right here."
McBane provided insight into which land was most suitable to purchase for water well locations, Noel explained.
"His knowledge will definitely be missed, and his commitment to the community," Noel said.
McBane said he returned to the city after working all over the world and began attending council meetings in 2005.
"I started attending council meetings because the guys at the Legion said it's the best show in town and it's free, and they were right," he joked.
After a few years of attending the meetings as a citizen he was appointed to fill an open seat on the planning commission.
After being involved on the planning commission for five years he was later appointed to fill an open seat on council in 2013.
"I have spent 11 years on council and close to 18 years I have been attending council meetings. I have enjoyed it. I have enjoyed working with this group," McBane said.
He added that the current council has been one of the best groups of council he has seen since he returned to the city.
"We are going to miss you," Council member Skip Liston said. "I really enjoyed your brain, and what you brought to the committee, to council," he said.
He added that McBane is the reason he is currently serving on council.
"Lowell Schloneger turned in his resignation and I had been coming to council meetings and Dick gave me a call and said 'Would you like to sit on council?'" he said.
McBane said he recommended Liston for the appointment because he had already been sitting in and listening to council meetings for more than a year.
Schloneger resigned his seat and opted not to run for re-election in 2015, citing state changes to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System as a contributing factor.
Schloneger passed away in 2019. He was 77.
As for McBane, he plans to continue attending council meetings as a citizen.
Noel said that in addition to McBane's expertise in oil and gas, his love for animals also served the city well, with his involvement in the new dog park located near the city's walking trails.
City Manager Lance Willard also credited McBane's willingness to help out in a pinch when the city needed someone to fill the role of Santa Claus for the filming of a movie in the city last year.
"You were a perfect Santa. It was a great event," Willard said.