The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
New council member welcomed
Avon Lake City Council welcomed its newest member, Billie Jo David, who will represent the first ward.
David was sworn in March 16 by Law Director Gary Ebert.
She began her remarks by thanking her predecessor Rob James, who held the seat for nearly eight years before stepping down in February.
“Thank you so much,” David said. “First I want to recognize Rob James. He put many years of tremendous service into the city and was elected by the residents of Ward 1 to that position.
“I’d like to thank Mr. President (Martin O’Donnell) and the entire Council for putting your trust in me to fulfill the obligation to the residents of Ward 1.
“I look forward to getting to know you all better. And despite this unprecedented time, working together to move our city forward and really ensuring the health and safety of our residents while continuing to ensure essential operations for the city is well run.”
O’Donnell said David was selected out of 10 candidates who interviewed for the seat.
James resigned in February after purchasing a home outside of the ward.
“There are a lot of different things that she brings to the table that I think is going to be very helpful for us,” O’Donnell said.
David has served as the director of communications and quality for the Summit County Board of Developmental Disabilities since 2008.
O’Donnell said her background in social media, crisis management and strategic planning set her apart from the other candidates.
“I thought in the interview process, she had a good understanding of the budget process, the needs of taxpayers; a comment that she made which I thought was good was balancing available resources to meet the needs of what people want,” he said.
David has three children attending Avon Lake City Schools.
Her present term expires at the end of 2021.
She will jump right in to help build on the city’s communication needs by helping to address the needs and concerns of citizens on multiple levels.
David previously worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation as a public information officer and has experience in infrastructure maintenance and business support services.
“She will bring a, I think, a different perspective,” O’Donnell said.
“And she believes in building consensus where possible, which I think is important for council a person, and she brightens as I said before, I think the diversity that the Council needs.”