New council takes office

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — Those representing the newly seated Vermilion city council were officially sworn in Friday night during an organizational meeting at the Vermilion Municipal Complex. This marks the start of the council's 2026 term. Here's how it breaks down: • The council is led by Jeff Lucas, who was sworn in as its president. Other members sworn in include Gary Howell, council member at-large; Greg Drew, representing Ward 2; Drew Werley, representing Ward 3; Homer Taft, representing Ward 4; and Alec Bonawit, representing Ward 5. • Following the swearing-in ceremony, the council confirmed several key administrative appointments, opting to maintain leadership continuity as the new term begins: — Council approved the reappointment of Anthony Pecora as law director and Scott Orille as assistant law director. — Anthony Valerius will also continue serving as public service director. — Council additionally confirmed Bramhall Engineering & Surveying Co. to continue serving as the city's engineering firm. The firm was represented at the meeting by Chris Howard. — Council also confirmed the appointment of Chad Angney as finance director. His appointment is scheduled to take effect on March 1. Council discussed the timing of the transition and interim steps to ensure payroll, accounts payable and other routine financial operations continue uninterrupted until he assumes the position. Council authorized Mayor Russ Owens, who's also starting a new four-year term, to handle routine financial matters on an interim basis, including signing checks and related documents, until the finance director officially begins his duties. — During the meeting, council also approved Mayor Russ Owens to serve as interim public safety director as permitted under the city charter. Owens agreed to take on the additional responsibilities without receiving compensation. The action allows public safety operations to continue without interruption while the administration determines next steps. The organizational meeting marked the formal transition into the new council term. Additional council meetings are scheduled early this month. City council seat remains open A seat on Vermilion city council is still vacant after no candidates filed to run for the Ward 1 position in November's election. The new two-year council term began Jan. 1. Because no one ran for the seat, the position is now open and must be filled through the city's vacancy process. According to the city charter, applicants must have: • Lived in Vermilion for at least two continuous years • Been a resident of Ward 1 for at least one year prior to appointment Vermilion city council has up to 30 days to fill the vacancy by a majority vote of the remaining council members. If the council does not act within that time frame, then the mayor is authorized to appoint someone to the seat. Residents interested in serving are asked to submit a summary of work experience or a resume along with a brief statement explaining their desire to serve as Ward 1 council member. Applications must be submitted by noon on Friday to council clerk Melanie Wood at Vermilion City Hall, 5511 Liberty Ave. Vermilion, OH 44089, or by email to mwood@cityofvermilionohio.gov. The appointed council member would serve the remainder of the two-year term.