Port authority member to retire

Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority board member Rita McMahon has announced she is retiring from the position effective Nov. 1.

McMahon said at the most recent board meeting that she is moving out of the county.

“Not because of anything to do with the board or anything, just kind of a personal lifestyle change,” she said.

McMahon was appointed to the board by the Lake County commissioners in December 2012 for a fouryear term. She was reappointed for another fouryear term in December 2016.

“It’s been a great opportunity and I’ve enjoyed it,” McMahon said.

She said it was a “really hard decision.” She got an offer on her house that she “couldn’t refuse.”

“I looked hard in Lake County ... but I just couldn’t find anything that was me and what I was looking for,” she said. “I found something down in Summit County.”

McMahon previously spent 15 years as Painesville city manager, retiring from the position in November 2012.

After retiring from Painesville, she started her own consulting firm which provides guidance to clients relative to community and economic development; city planning and zoning; and management and organizational issues. She said she will still be doing consulting work in Concord Township and Painesville.

“I’m still going to be travelling back and forth, but I’ve also been doing a lot of consulting work on the west side of Cleveland and this makes it a little easier,” she said.

McMahon’s replacement will be chosen by the county commissioners. In her resignation letter, McMahon suggested they choose someone who has public sector experience.

“You will be sorely missed and I thank you for your dedication and your service,” port authority board president Art Lindrose told her.

McMahon said she will attend the board’s October meeting.

McMahon