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Waynesville council appoints Lyle Anthony to vacant seat after 4-2 vote amid debate over DEI-linked applicant
Summary
The Waynesville Village Council appointed Lyle Anthony to a vacant council seat July 31 after returning from an executive session; the appointment passed 4-2 and prompted a public record statement from Council member Chris Colvin expressing concern about an alternative applicant's diversity, equity and inclusion work.
The Waynesville Village Council appointed Lyle Anthony to fill the council seat vacated by Ms. Dedden on July 31, passing the motion 4-2 after returning from an executive session.
Mayor Earl Isaacs called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and moved the council into executive session at 6:03 p.m. to consider the appointment and related personnel matters. Council returned to the chambers at 8:04 p.m., and Council member Zack Gallagher moved to appoint Lyle Anthony. Council member Troy Lauffer seconded the motion. The roll call vote recorded yeas from Lauffer, Chris Colvin, Gallagher and Mayor Earl Isaacs and nays from Connie Miller and Brian Blankenship; the appointment passed.
"This decision was one of the hardest ones I have had to make while serving on Council," Mayor Isaacs said, praising the pool of qualified applicants and saying he believes Anthony "will be a future asset to the Village." He also acknowledged the contributions of applicant David Nation.
Several council members welcomed Anthony. "All the candidates were qualified and I hope to see them in the future," Council member Zack Gallagher said. Brian Blankenship said Nation has "done amazing things for the town" and expressed support for seeing him considered for future service. Council member Connie Miller said Nation "was the only one to submit his application on time" and that his interview and resume demonstrated devotion to the community.
The appointment prompted a formal on-the-record explanation from Council member Chris Colvin about his opposition to applicant David Nation. Colvin said his motion to include three additional candidates sought to consider applications received before deliberations began, but added that he could not support Nation because Nation's application highlighted "diversity and inclusion" achievements and his role as a founding member of a Rainbow Alliance employee resource group. "Thirty states, including Ohio, have taken steps to remove DEI initiatives because of their discriminatory practices and so I am very concerned about DEI policies being advocated in our municipality," Colvin said.
After the vote, Mayor Isaacs swore in Lyle Anthony as the newest council member. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
What happened next: The council completed the swearing-in; no additional votes or motions were recorded in the minutes of the special meeting.
