Four city council members took the oath of office at the Richmond Heights city council meeting on April 21. The council also passed two bills and heard from citizens, including residents impacted by the Wise Avenue improvement project.
Judge Stephen O’Brien administered the oath of office to four council members including Ed Notter, District 3; Matt Casey, District 1; Reginald Finney, District 2; and Dan Sebben, District 4. Newly elected members Finney and Sebben replace Connie Williams and Michael Jones. Both Williams and Jones retired after serving 12 and 14 years respectively.
State Rep. Gina Mitten and County Councilman Pat Dolan were on hand to thank Williams and Jones for their service and gave each a plaque of proclamation as did Mayor Beck.
“The three most important things to me are God, family and country and that includes Richmond Heights,” said Jones. “I want to thank Amy Hamilton and her staff for their hard work and service to the city.”
“It has been an honor to serve,” said Williams.
Prior to the swearing-in, the council unanimously approved a bill to blight the current Manhassett Village area to make way for redevelopment and a bill approving the site development plans for the Boys Hope Girls Hope youth residences.
Wise Ave. residents Janet Dobbs and Diane Lee voiced continuing concern over the Wise Ave. improvement plan.
“We’ve tasked the firm to redesign the plan to save the trees and install 4 foot sidewalks,” said Mayor Beck. “We’ve paid them $20,000 to do so and should have the plan back this week. As soon as we have it you can see it.”