Council holds organizational meeting

EATON – Two incumbent councilmen and one new member of Eaton City Council were sworn in during council’s annual organizational meeting held Monday, Dec. 6. Council also selected the city’s mayor and vice-mayor for the new year.

Preble County Probate Judge Jenifer Overmyer administered the oath of office to veteran council members Brad Moore and Matt Venable and new councilman Christopher Carr, who were all elected in the Nov. 2, General Election.

Current Mayor Joe Renner and Vice-Mayor David Kirsch were selected once again by their fellow councilmen to continue in their respective roles for 2022.

During the meeting council adopted a resolution recognizing retiring Eaton Municipal Court Judge Paul Henry, who has served as judge at EMC for 29 years. The resolution noted, “Throughout his professional career, Judge Henry always remained humble and respectful of others which in turn garnered the respect of all the people who knew and worked alongside him. His even temperament and friendly disposition secured for him the position of being the most approachable elected official in the memory of even the oldest Preble County residents.”

Henry will be honored publicly during a reception planned for a later date at EMC.

In other organizational business, council:

•Adopted a resolution appointing Law Director Ryan Brunk as council’s designee for attending public records training approved by the Ohio Attorney General

•Accepted the resignation of Emily Medearis from Eaton Planning Board due to personal reasons. “She’s been an excellent member of that board for a long time, and I’ve enjoyed working with her,” Renner said. “It’s a shame she’s had to leave us.” Council appointed former councilman Gary Wagner to replace her on the board.

•Appointed Venable to a vacant seat on the planning board.

Eaton City Council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 at 6 p.m.