ASHLAND – Matt Miller was sworn into office as Ashland’s 54th mayor on Tuesday night at Ashland High School’s Archer Auditorium.
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman swore in Miller and two newly elected city councilmen – Dennis Miller and Al Farnam – at the ceremony, which took place directly before the city council meeting. Returning council member Bob Valentine, who was reelected in November, did not participate.
“We’re ready to work together to make Ashland a community of excellence. That’s what we are seeking ladies and gentlemen,” Matt Miller said. “We’re going to pay attention to the details, and we are going to make this community sparkle so that not just you and all of your friends and neighbors know what a good thing we have in Ashland, Ohio, but so people all around this great state and country start to recognize it, that there’s something special happening in those people’s backyards there in Ashland.”
The councilman-turned-mayor won November’s election with a landslide victory. He resigned his seat on city council, effective at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31 and became mayor at midnight Jan. 1.
Miller planned the swearing-in ceremony at the high school as a show of unity. He invited leaders on a local, statewide and national level to participate and speak briefly.
“I think we all best represent our constituents when we act like a family, when we work together, when we have common goals and common things in mind,” President of the Ohio Senate Larry Obhof said.
He expressed a belief that Miller and the two councilmen were involved in government for the “right reasons.”
Carlos Campos, President of Ashland University, believes Ashland – the university and the community as a whole – are on the rise.
“I’m proud of the fact that the three men we are honoring tonight are men of integrity. These are men who will pursue truth and that will lead with compassion,” Campos said.
Executive director of the Ashland County Community Foundation Jim Cutright encouraged Mayor Miller and the two councilmen to try new things.
“Embrace this opportunity. It’s a new day in Ashland,” Cutright said. “There’s an altitude to our collective attitude as a community right now. Our hopes are at an all-time high that Ashland can be something more.”
Before rushing off to the council meeting, after the ceremony ran long, Miller briefly reminded the crowd of his intentions. First, he mentioned a desire to crush the drug epidemic. He urged anyone struggling with addiction to stay hopeful.
“We care about you, and we’re going to work hard in the next couple of years to try to provide you the opportunity for you to get well and to escape the addictions that have entangled you,” Miller said.
Miller has consistently promised to focus on economic development. He discussed it when first filing for mayor and in a recent Ashland Source interview. The topic was brought up again Tuesday night.
“We are convinced that we are conveniently located, perfectly located in the state of Ohio on a major interstate right between two major metropolitan areas. Columbus is moving north and Cleveland is moving south.
“What better place to be than in Ashland, Ohio?” Miller said.
“And we are going to make sure we sell our community to those developers who are looking to relocate their businesses, businesses that pay a livable wage.”
Lastly, Miller mentioned transparency. He expressed a desire to include the citizens of Ashland in the decision-making process.
“That means that we are going to share information with you so you can help us make the best decisions to move this community forward,” he said.
To read more about Miller’s intentions as Mayor, read the Ashland Source’s preview of what’s to come.
