JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The Jefferson Township Board of Trustees is looking to replace its longest-serving member. Frederic “Fritz” Ackerman, 74, passed away Nov. 29 after a short illness.
According to his obituary, Ackerman was serving in his 41st year as a Jefferson Township Trustee, after being elected to 11 consecutive four-year terms. He was most recently re-elected in November 2019.
“He’s been good to work with. We got a lot accomplished,” said fellow trustee Bob McConkie, a 23-year board member. “He was involved in everything in that township that came up.”
Trustee Mark Gatton said he was lucky to work alongside Ackerman.
“I served over 19 years as a trustee here in Jefferson Township with Fritz. I learned an awful lot and was still learning. He’ll be sorely missed. He had this mind for the right things for our community,” Gatton said. “People appreciated his wisdom and the thought that he put into everything that come across our desk. Big or little, he gave it all of his consideration every time.”
Gatton further described Ackerman as an “eternal optimist” and the “go-to guy” for corresponding with the public.
Bellville Mayor Teri Brenkus called him “one-of-a-kind.”
“I found Mr. Ackerman very interesting, talented, well-educated and held a unique quick wit of which I’ve never experienced before,” Brenkus said. “We are forever grateful for the four-plus decades he served our community as Jefferson Township trustee.”
During his four decades on the board, Ackerman’s approach to governance was to be as “least invasive” as possible.
“The bulk of our work is maintaining the integrity and safety of our roads,” Gatton explained. “He would try his best to look down the road and how it would play out in years to come and how it may affect the people who don’t live on that road at the time.
“He didn’t govern any more or any less than it took to address whatever would come up.”
Since the position of township trustee is non-partisan, Gatton and McConkie will choose a person to fill Ackerman’s seat.
“The way it works is for a period of 30 days from the date of death, the remaining two trustees have the right to appoint a successor for the vacancy,” said Jon Burton, an attorney retained by the township to aid in the transition.
Burton said any person who is an elector of a township is eligible for selection. Gatton and McConkie would need to agree on the individual, then hold an official vote during a public meeting and swear in the new board member.
If Gatton and McConkie do not select a new trustee by Dec. 28, the decision will go to “a majority of the persons designated as the committee of five” on the last nominating petition Ackerman filed with the Richland County Board of Elections. If that group failed to make the appointment within the following 10 days, the decision will go to the county probate judge.
Gatton said he and McConkie fully intend to appoint a successor, but will not discuss potential candidates until the next board meeting in compliance with Ohio’s Sunshine Laws.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trustees have reduced their meetings to once a month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 28, so Gatton anticipates that a special meeting will be called to make the appointment.
A notice of the meeting date will be posted at least 24 hours prior at 115 Main Street in Bellville. All township trustee meetings are held there at the old firehouse.
