After only two nights of interviews and deliberations, the Richland County Republican Central Committee Precinct members voted in Ontario resident Neil Chitwood to fill the vacancy left by Roger Heston.
The committee to find Heston’s replacement was made up of Mark Arnold, Beverly Collins, Eddie Gallo, and Roger Heston. Chair of the Executive Committee Mike Casto mediated the meetings and Vice Chair Bill Freytag served as secretary.
Monday’s meeting went directly into an executive session after committee members announced they received ten applications for the position and would be narrowing down the applicants. When they returned an hour later, they announced the committee had narrowed their choices down to five applicants: Neil Chitwood, Dan Zeiter, Sherry Branham, Rick Reese and Mark Arnold.
Dan Zeiter, who served ten years on the council in various positions last served as council president.
Mark Arnold not only served on the council in the past but was on the committee to replace Roger Heston.
The three newcomers, Branham, Reese, and Chitwood were all new to the political scene but felt strongly about their involvement in the community.
Chitwood has been an Ontario resident for five years, is married with three young children, and owns and operates Team Chitwood Jiu-Jitsu with his two brothers, Shawn and Craig Chitwood.
Following Monday’s meeting to narrow down the candidates, Tuesday night picked back up again at 6 p.m. with the candidates interviewed every half-hour, again in executive session. Following the interviews the committee remained behind closed doors another half hour before returning to the candidates to share their decision.
“I just wanted to say how impressed we were with the group of candidates we received for this position,” explained Councilman at Large Eddie Gallo. “We were so overwhelmed with the qualifications of everyone involved.”
Chairman of the Richland County Republican Central Committee Mark Arnold said, “I was satisfied that we did our due diligence in vetting candidates and our interview process. The selection of Major Chitwood will be an asset to the City of Ontario and I look forward to him serving on council.”
The committee felt Chitwood’s educational background and military service were impeccable and he would be a strong addition to the council.
“I just wanted to say how impressed we were with the group of candidates we received for this position,” explained Councilman at Large Eddie Gallo. “We were so overwhelmed with the qualifications of everyone involved.”
