BELLVILLE — Candace Branham has been appointed to the Bellville Village Council, filling the seat recently vacated by David Griffon.
The Bellville native has been active in the community for 36 years since returning to the area. She fills the term which expires in November of 2017.
Branham served as a nurse in the U.S. Army, experience she says helped to develop skills working with people, budgeting and decision making. During her interview with council members, Branham said she hopes to see more economic development and opportunities for employment in Bellville.
“I want to make the village better,” she said.
Branham said what she most appreciates is the caring nature of Bellville residents. She also believes people are becoming more interested in the village, specifically noting comments she’s heard about the improvements in the downtown district and a new school building slated for construction.
The council position opened when Griffon resigned at the end of the council’s July 19 meeting.
Griffon later indicated his decision to step down was based on personal differences with Mayor Darrell Banks, dating to 2014. The differences also revolve around difficulties the council and mayor experienced in 2015, but Griffon believes Banks has since been unwilling to speak to him personally. Banks disagreed, saying he has had contact with Griffon in the past year.
Branham is the third new member of Bellville’s council this year. Rich Osborn was elected to the council last November, while Clint Knight was appointed to fill the remaining term of Larry Rose after Rose stepped down. In 2017, four of the six members will be up for re- election.
Branham is currently serving on the “cemetery board” for the village. However, she cannot serve on both the council and cemetery board. The village will begin a search for someone to take her place.
As for Banks, he emphatically noted, “I have not resigned as Mayor.” The statement was included in the agenda for the meeting. The announcement was in response to a recent report that he was “stepping down” to focus on his campaign for Richland County Commissioner. The same report said Victor Swisher was “elected Mayor Pro Tempore” for Bellville.
Banks explained that during the August 2 Council meeting, Swisher was appointed by fellow council members to be the “president pro tempore of council,” a position previously held by Griffon.
While a mayor serves as the “president of council,” in the event that the mayor is unavailable, the president pro tempore presides over council meetings.
The Bellville mayor is running for County Commissioner against Ron Davis. Banks has said he would be stepping down if he were elected.
Detour on Ohio 13
Recent paving efforts along Ohio 13 have reached the downtown Bellville area. Village Administrator Larry Weirich reported that Main Street has been closed to allow Kokosing Construction to “work faster and safer” in the downtown area. The milling and paving is expected to be completed within 10 days.
Those traveling to and through the area noticed the “road closed” and “detour” signs that went up Aug. 16. The detour route is similar to the one used each fall for the Bellville Street Fair.
