GALION, Ohio — Galion welcomed three new members to its city’s administration Wednesday night after Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Sean Leuthold swore them in to office.
Jim Hedges won his bid for third ward council membership in November. He will replace Michael Richart, who served for a term and a half.
The lifelong Galion resident, who received a paralegal associate degree, a bachelor’s in criminal justice and minors in psychology and business from Ashland University, believes the next step for his citizenship is to serve on city council.
“My mentality is what I can do for you? What will it take?” Hedges said. “This is my home and where I grew up. I want to take this place back to its glory years.”
Gail Baldinger will serve as at-large councilman, filling Jon Kleinknecht’s occupancy. Baldinger, also a lifelong resident, said his focus will be to get the city out of fiscal emergency.
Rodney Sparks will replace Treasurer Paula Durbin as the city’s treasurer.
“I think we need to make the good decisions, the right decisions and the best decisions,” Sparks said. “I think that’s what we need to focus on.”
At-large members Shirley Clark and Thomas Fellner, fourth ward council member Shirley Clark, third ward council member Mark Triplett and Council President Carl Watt also took an oath to begin their latest terms. First ward council member Sarah Capretta was absent Wednesday night.
Luethold offered the new members some light advice.
“Congratulations to everyone and good luck. It’s going to be a fun year. And just remember, like I said, it takes a lot of courage to do what you’re doing, and when people criticize you, just remember that comes with the job and most of the people out there that criticize you don’t have the courage to step and do what you folks have done,” Leuthold said, before inviting those in attendance to refreshments.
A reorganizational meeting for city council is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Galion municipal building.
