SHELBY, Ohio–Shelby City Council is once again faced with filling a vacant council seat in the wake of the resignation of Councilmember Harold Shasky.
Shasky submitted his resignation on Feb. 9, citing “personal reasons” as the reason for his departure. He noted he had been wrestling with the decision for quite some time.
“I have been very blessed to have been elected three times to represent the second ward of the city of Shelby,” said Shasky in his letter. “I have tried my best to serve the citizens with honesty, integrity and dignity, and to be their voice on council. I always tried to remember elected by the people for the people.”
Shasky recently contributed to the passage of Ordinance 1-2015 on Feb. 2 setting the salaries of Shelby’s elected officials. Council unanimously passed Shasky’s amendment to the ordinance that froze wages for the mayor, law director and finance director in 2016 and 2017, then increased all three wages by 2 percent in 2018 and 2.5 percent in 2019. This increases wages 4.5 percent for all three positions over four years.
“Common sense tells me with our General Fund continually shrinking we need to freeze all wages until the General Fund becomes healthy again without the transfer of funds from other accounts or taking more of the tax credit away,” said Shasky on Feb. 2.
Recently, Shasky had been vocally against the passage of Ordinance 22-2014, which reduced the tax credit for Shelby residents who work outside the city from 100 to 67 percent of the base 1 percent income tax that was first established in 1972. Shasky voted against the second reading of the ordinance on Dec. 1 and was not present for the ordinance’s final passage on Dec. 15.
“I have found my experience on council very humbling at times,” said Shasky in his resignation. “I am very proud to have been a part of this council and also feel very blessed to have served with my fellow council members. It has been an honor and a pleasure serving the citizens of Shelby and especially the citizens of the second ward.”
Shelby residents in the city’s second ward may apply to fill Shasky’s seat. Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to Shelby City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. Members of council will then conduct interviews starting at 6 p.m. on March 2.
All candidates for the position are expected to return to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 to receive a packet containing legislation to be discussed at the next council meeting. Mayor Steve Schag explained all candidates must be prepared to cast a vote the evening of March 2 after their interview.
“My expectation is the person we pick will take the oath of office on March 2 and have a seat up here to be part of the process,” added Councilmember Garland Gates. “There is no learning curve.”
