Brady becomes Sandusky's mayor

SANDUSKY — Dick Brady joined an elite political group on Monday, ascending to the city commission's most prestigious position.By a 6-1 vote, Brady received enough support from his fellow commissioners to become the city government's new ex officio mayor, often referred to as president. Commissioner Wes Poole cast the lone "no" vote."Because it came from my peers, I treat it as one of the highest honors you can have," Brady said.Previously acting as the board's vice mayor, often referred to as vice president, Brady's two-year presidential term runs through December 2021.The president, mostly a figurehead position with no special voting powers or political privileges, primarily sets discussion topics and controls time limits during public meetings. In short: Brady's vote carries as much power as any other commissioner's vote, seven in total.But the president is entrusted with one major responsibility: Brady can take command of police operations and other city resources during an emergency, terrorist event or some other public danger threatening lives.Sandusky's president obtains $6,400 a year. All other commissioners receive $5,200 annually.Murray's successful time as mayorBrady succeeds commissioner Dennis Murray Jr. as mayor. Murray politely declined a nomination from Poole to once again to serve as board president.He did, however, agree to serve as vice president and received unanimous backing from commissioners, a 7-0 vote. This effectively means Brady and Murray flip-flopped their commission roles. The commission votes on these positions every two years.Proud to serve as Sandusky's mayor, Murray believes now is the right time for a change — and Murray is happy that Brady, who he considers a good friend and respected colleague, replaces him."Dick has been a great partner throughout the last six years, and he is certainly capable of doing this," Murray said. "I wanted to see him have that opportunity. We are only as strong as the bench on which we serve. Having Dick step up and take that role makes for a stronger bench and a stronger team."Murray's mayoral term coincided with Sandusky's prosperous ongoing rebirth period. Since 2014, when Murray's current tenure in office started, Sandusky has seen more than $300 million invested across the city in both public and private investments.He also helped reign in finances, eventually strengthening Sandusky's budgetary outlook to its best shape in decades and maybe of all-time.Murray also played a crucial role in organizing and promoting Sandusky's year-long bicentennial, commemorating its 200-year anniversary, in 2018. The good vibes carried over into 2019, when voters nationwide elected Sandusky as the Best Coastal Small Town.After the separate votes took place, fellow commissioners praised Murray, who served four stints as commission president. This would include three consecutive terms, spanning from 2014 through 2019 and once before in 2008."Dennis has done a very good job for six years," commissioner Dave Waddington said. "But change is good. Dick has been waiting in the saddle. It'll be refreshing, and he'll do a good job."'A true honor'Brady first became a city commission in 2011, volunteering to fill a vacancy on the board.He then ran a full-on campaign in fall 2013, winning an election and beginning his first full term in 2014. Voters also re-elected Brady in fall 2017, which meant he secured another four-year term. His current term doesn't expire until December 2021.In his personal life, Brady was born and raised in Sandusky. He graduated from Sandusky Central Catholic School in 1967. Since then, he started local businesses such as Brady Signs and Brady Electric. He's married to his wife, Debra, of 36 years. They have three children and two grandchildren.After becoming Sandusky's new mayor, Brady addressed his fellow commissioners and attendees.An excerpt from his statement:I want to thank my fellow commissioners for this opportunity, and I want to thank commissioner Murray for the last six years of his service as mayor.This mayor's position gives me the same number of votes as each of you have. That's one.My obligation in this chamber is just to direct traffic. I'll allow each of you and every resident that shows up here to have a voice but have that voice in an orderly fashion.To a certain degree, the mayor's position invariably does take on the personality of the person holding the office. Mine will be different than commissioner Murray's.There will be some changes, some subtle and some not so subtle. What will not change is the trajectory that this city has been on for the past six years. It is my hope that, two years from now, when we look back over these eight years, it will appear absolutely seamless.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Sandusky city commissioner Dick Brady became the local government's newest mayor on Monday.