GALION — One of Galion’s City Council members, Sarah Capretta, resigned Thursday afternoon, effective immediately.
Capretta, who served on council’s First Ward seat, said she delivered a letter to Clerk of Council Julie Bell Thursday afternoon, who subsequently wrote an email announcing to council members of her resignation. The letter is attached to this story as a PDF document.
“It was a tough decision. I had to weigh the options and what was best for everyone,” Capretta said. The 31-year-old joined Galion’s council in June 2014, replacing Eric Webber.
She is also leaving her current job as Rite Aid’s Wellness Ambassador and moving on to be the next Retired Senior Volunteer Program Coordinator for the Galion/Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I start on March 28,” she said.
Despite displaying some of her frustration at times during council meetings, she said the frustration never stole her enjoyment from representing Galion’s first ward.
“I just felt like this was the right thing to do,” she said. “I enjoyed my time; I enjoyed meeting all the people I did and getting to know them better.”
Council President Carl Watt said he was surprised, but encouraged her to keep planning the Pickle Run.
“It was a bit of a shock but I understood. She was doing a great job as a council member and the chair of the Laws and Ordinances Committee. I hate to see her go but she has to do what she has to do. I have nothing but praise for her and hope she sticks with planning the Pickle Run — she did a great job of reactivating it last year,” Watt said.
Mayor Tom O’Leary shared in Watt’s shock.
“I was somewhat surprised by the abruptness. Sarah worked really hard while on council,” he said.
She said her biggest achievements included getting her friends and acquaintances more interested in city government, rousing enthusiasm and coordination for the successful Pickle Run and being a supporter of progressive ideas aimed at making Galion stand out from other communities in the area.
Capretta said she will not be moving away from her current residence in Galion.
“If there’s someone out there that can give 100 percent, and is devoted to making Galion better, I’d recommend they get in there and apply,” Capretta said.
According to the city’s public information officer Matt Echelberry, interested candidates should submit resumes to the Clerk of Council by Thursday, March 24 at 4 p.m. There are no applications available for the seat.
Echelberry said candidates will only be considered if they live within Galion’s first ward, which is north of Harding Way West and everything west of North Market Street.
Council will hold interviews between March 24 and April’s first regular meeting, Tuesday, April 12.
