ASHLAND — In a brief special meeting Thursday afternoon, Ashland City Council officially appointed Duane Fishpaw as Mayor effective Jan. 22.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0 with Fishpaw and Councilman Bob Valentine abstaining.
Fishpaw replaces Glenn Stewart, who announced his retirement in December. Fishpaw, who has served on Ashland City Council for six years, will serve out the remainder of Stewart’s term which ends on Dec. 31, 2017.
Fishpaw will officially be sworn in on Sunday but said there will not be a public ceremony.
When Fishpaw was chosen as Stewart’s replacement last month, he said he would not run for mayor this year.
The 62-year-old Ashland native spent 31 years with the Ashland City Fire Department before retiring in 2011. He was an officer with the department for 20 years, including 17 years as assistant chief and serving as interim chief between Mark Burgess and Rick Anderson.
So far only Councilman Matt Miller has filed papers to run for Mayor in the March election. The deadline to file is Feb. 1.
Fishpaw’s council term continues through Dec. 31, 2019. City Council will appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term.
