ONTARIO, Ohio – During its last meeting of the year, the Ontario City Council showed gratitude to two of its members Thursday night whose terms are coming to a close.
First Ward Councilwoman Pam Drake and Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Hairston complete their terms at the end of December. Both said they were honored to have served the city with their fellow councilmembers over the last four years.
“This council has been fantastic,” Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson said. “I sit next to Pam every meeting, and we have a good time and get a lot done. And Jim with the finance part, I work hand-in-hand with him to finance the budget and everything.
“It’s just been a great time working with both of them, and we will miss them here on council.”
Both Hairston and Drake were honored with a resolution of appreciation for their service over the past four years.
Though he is leaving council, Hairston will take over as Ontario treasurer in January, replacing Barb Crider, who will not be finishing the final two years of her treasurer’s term.
“I was all set to run again for council, and I really enjoyed working with these guys – I think we made a lot of progress as a city in the last four years,” Hairston said. “Our treasurer (Linda Stoodt) back in January resigned, and I’m a CPA (certified public accountant) and the chief operating officer with the Area Agency on Aging, so I thought this was a need for the city and with my background and experience, it’s a better fit for me.
“And I’m looking forward to it.”
Crider was appointed treasurer after Stoodt resigned.
Drake, who is an AFL/CIO community service labor liaison with the United Way, decided not to rerun so she could focus on her career.
“We’ve brought so many small pieces together that when we come into our meetings, for the most part, we don’t have to participate in every one of them, but you get that majority almost always,” she said. “We’re business-focused for the benefit of the people, and by working in that respect, I think we’ve made a lot of changes, especially in working together as a team.
“Regardless of whether we agree or disagree, we bring the information forward, we’re professional, and we deal with those things. People don’t always see that benefit right at the moment, but long term, for the city of Ontario, I’m proud that things are set in place that’s going to be better for Ontario in the future; it’s going to be advantageous for growth and supportive of every resident and make it a better place to live.”
She added that the main reason for her departure is because balancing council and work is “too much of a conflict.”
“I like to put everything I have into my jobs,” she said, adding that she’ll be around and be willing to help with anything council needs.
“I’m proud to have served, and I love Ontario.”
Hairston had similar sentiments about working on council.
“Egos were set aside; everybody was transparent when working with each other, and we knew when someone said something they were telling the truth.”
He added that Ontario’s council is “like a well-oiled machine.”
“Everybody feels free to speak their minds, and there have been disagreements, but it’s done in respect, and it hasn’t always been that way.”
Hairston and Drake will be replaced by Leo Hess and former councilman and council president Dan Zeiter.
OGC REPORT: The Ontario Growth Corporation gave its year-end report to council Thursday, citing Avita Health System in Ontario, and Ninja Japanese Steakhouse as just two of its several listed successes from the 2015.
“We have a lot of momentum, especially from the previous year,” said Alli Krippen, administrative assistant at OGC. “Avita, they’re always moving forward, so Avita’s definitely one of our accomplishments.”
Krippen gave the presentation and, on behalf of OGC, asked council to renew its funding for 2016.
Of the projects for the coming year, Krippen said the OGC will be doing a lot with the campus of The Ohio State University at Mansfield and North Central State College and will have a grand-opening ceremony for the Valero gas station that recently opened at 3880 W. Fourth St.
“Keeping and retaining business here is one of our major goals – we don’t want anyone to leave and want to keep them happy and satisfied and make Ontario the best place to work,” she said.
