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Medina council selects Chet Simmons to fill Ward 1 vacancy after interviews
Summary
After interviewing four finalists and recessing to executive session, Medina City Council announced it selected Chet Simmons to fill the Ward 1 council vacancy. The appointee must be sworn in before the council's next meeting and will need to run in the upcoming election to retain the seat.
Medina City Council voted Thursday to fill its Ward 1 vacancy, selecting Chet Simmons after interviewing four finalists and recessing to executive session.
The selection came after the council interviewed four applicants who applied to replace the vacant Ward 1 seat. Councilmembers heard five-minute introductions from each candidate and asked the same set of questions of all applicants, then went into executive session at 8:50 p.m. to deliberate. Council returned to open session at 9:17 p.m., and the council announced that Chet Simmons would fill the Ward 1 seat.
The interviews gave candidates a chance to describe community experience and priorities. Chet Simmons, who told council he has long volunteer ties and previously served two terms as Ward 1 council, said, “When I get involved with something, I'm committed to it.” Simmons described work on neighborhood service projects, food pantry efforts and past council service, and told members public safety would be a top priority.
Other finalists included Mark Williams, Crystal Marker and Holly (last name in transcript: Beckt), each of whom described local ties and priorities ranging from traffic and infrastructure to affordable housing and youth retention. Candidates answered council questions about the city’s nonpartisan charter, resident safety, housing and the deer population. Several applicants said they intend to run in the election to retain the seat if appointed.
Council described the selection process as ranking all applicants and comparing totals before choosing the appointee. The council advised the chosen candidate must be sworn in before participating in council business; members said the next council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24 and the appointee should be sworn in prior to that meeting.
Clarifying details recorded in the meeting: five candidates applied for the Ward 1 vacancy, four appeared for interviews, council recessed to executive session at 8:50 p.m. and returned at 9:17 p.m., and council announced its selection in open session. The transcript records council urging all applicants to consider running for the seat in the upcoming election.
The council did not record a public roll-call vote to appoint Simmons in the open session portion of the transcript; the selection was announced after the closed deliberation. The council president said the group discussion and ranking produced a close set of scores before the final choice was made.
Simmons will join a council facing routine agenda items and projects already in progress; the council noted he must be sworn in before he may vote or take official actions.
The council thanked all applicants for their interest.
