MANSFIELD — David Remy had many different roles during his 31 years of work with the City of Mansfield.
Law Director. Public Works Director. Human Resources Director. Safety Service Director.
Many jobs. One goal.
“My whole job during that time, as I looked at it from a legal background, as a legally trained person, was to keep the city inside the guardrails. Don’t let us go outside the guardrails and make sure that people don’t act outside the guardrails.
“And if they go outside the guardrails, bring them back in. Sometimes that wasn’t that easy,” Remy told City Council members Tuesday night after local lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution honoring his work.
Remy began work with the city in 1993 as an assistant in the law director’s office.
In 2002, he was appointed as the Law Director and was subsequently twice elected to the position.
After losing a bid for a third term, Remy was appointed as the city’s human resources director from 2011 to 2019. He was appointed public works director in 2019 and also became the interim safety service director in 2021, holding both positions until he retired Jan. 2.
The last few years, heading up the city’s two biggest departments, may have been the toughest for Remy, a Mansfield native who graduated from Ohio Northern University law school in 1975.
“In the end, I took on maybe more than I should have … and wasn’t able to give everything that should be given to the job,” Remy said.
“That’s why I think now with having a separate public works director and public safety service director, it’s extremely beneficial for the city. We’re talking about 400, almost 500 employees,” he said.
Remy thanked his late parents for pushing him to succeed as a child despite his physical disabilities.
“They told me ‘Do not let your disability, whatever it might be, interfere with your life. You are just like everyone else,'” Remy said.
“They pushed me and they pushed me. But it made me what I am. I really sincerely believe that in my heart,” he said.
Council President Phil Scott, the longest-tenured member among local lawmakers, congratulated Remy.
“We’re going to miss you around the city. We go back quite a few years. Our families have been friends for quite some time. I’ve been around you for quite a while. We are going to miss you, but I don’t think you’ll be gone. I think you’ll still have a presence here in Mansfield and around the city,” Scott said.
At-large Councilwoman Stephanie Zader admitted she had been among Remy’s biggest critics during her first couple of years on council.
“You probably considered me the enemy up her. But I do appreciate you and the time that you’ve given the city. I appreciate what you’ve done for this city and the time that you’ve given it,” she said.
“I think that listening to you made me think that you should give yourself a little more credit. Because while I may have been your biggest critic at times, I do understand that you were overwhelmed, but you did it because you cared,” Zader said.
Second Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Meier also praised Remy.
“Thank you very much for your service to the city. Your presence here is definitely going be missed. But you have earned a retirement to enjoy and spend some time with your family. So thank you for all of your dedication,” Meier said.
Fifth Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz told Remy he had an “amazing legacy.”
“The fact that you took on two huge roles for such a long period of time says a lot about you. Give yourself a lot of credit. You have done a lot of stuff that we don’t even know about and we value you and we thank you,” Diaz said.
New mayor provides update on first two weeks in office
Mayor Jodie Perry updated lawmakers on her first two weeks in office, including meeting with department heads and conducting her first staff meeting.
“I think that was a good launch. We kind of shared some of our goals, as well as some of my working values, and started to talk about planning for the year,” said Perry, reiterating her top goals in 2024 are related to growth, infrastructure improvements and public safety.
She praised the work of the street department during recent snow/ice events and also the Mansfield Police Department for its response to three gun deaths in the first weeks of 2024.
The new mayor also encouraged residents to visit the city’s Facebook page for updates.
“We are trying to be a little more active with the city’s Facebook page. Please make sure you follow that. I also did create a (Facebook) page just for me as the mayor. So follow that. I’ll just try to share updates throughout that,” Perry said.
She also pointed out the city’s phones, internet and email services were down on Tuesday. The outage didn’t impact 9-1-1 calls, she said.
“So if you called us and we didn’t call you back, that might be why. So we’ll be returning lots of calls and emails tomorrow,” Perry said.
New finance director handling staffing issues
New Finance Director Kelly Blankenship told council she has spent time in her first two weeks addressing staffing issues in the department and creating a functional organizational chart “that basically lays out some of the important areas of the work we do.”
“From there, I am creating some positions to address those in a more succinct manner than what currently exists. It’s very foggy, very loose, and I want to tighten up the staffing so that we can produce a good product for the citizens and for the administration of the city,” Blankenship said.
“I’ve had some wonderful meetings with the mayor, the law director, and some council members to discuss some improvements to the work that we’re doing, especially with reporting (and) getting information out.
“One of the goals that we have together is to try and lock down the budget process so that we can have a final product for passage in December, instead of just a temporary budget. That is a goal that the administration and myself are committed to bringing you,” she said.
New public works director plans improved city parks
New Public Works Director Louis Andres said he has enjoyed meeting with department heads, including Parks & Recreation Director Mark Abrams.
“Parks are one of those things that provide a free service. People need the green space and things, living in the city. So that’s one of my priorities is to work on the parks, as well. So we’re working to communicate effectively. We want to be positive,” Andres said.
Andres worked in the parks and recreation field for over 40 years, beginning his career in 1978 with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a park naturalist.
In 1991, he became park manager at Malabar Farm State Park and remained in that position for nearly 22 years. He retired in July 2012 as North Central District Manager for Ohio State Parks, after 32 years of public service.
“We want to reinforce the community that we’re here for them, and we’ll be working to improve everything that we do on the public works side. So, I’m excited and overwhelmed at the same time,” Andres said.
New law director getting acclimated in office
New Law Director Rollie Harper said he is excited about his first two weeks in elected office.
“There’s pretty much a brand new team in place. We are getting acclimated to the new work environment and looking forward to getting a a lot done for the City of Mansfield,” he said.
Council welcomes new Assistant Clerk of Council
Mansfield native LaConia James-Ross was welcomed Tuesday evening as the new Assistant Clerk of Council. She will be assisting Clerk Delaine Weiner in her new role.
“I am anxious and excited about this new position. I’m willing to learn (and) get the ins and outs of what’s really going on throughout our city.
“Being a native here, it makes a difference when you come on board with a distinguished quorum of people. So thank you all for the opportunity and it is truly appreciated,” James-Ross said.