New mayor and council take oath of office

A new year has brought almost a whole new administration in the city of Willoughby.

At the Jan. 2 City Council meeting, new Municipal Court Judge Marisa Cornachio swore in Robert Fiala as the city’s new mayor. Additionally she administered the oath of office to four new council members: Katie McNeill, council at-large; Ken Kary, Ward 2; John Tomaselli, Ward 3; and Daniel Anderson, Ward 5. Returning council members Christopher Woodin, Ward 1, Robert Carr, Ward 4; and Robert Harrold, Ward 6, were readministered the oath as they take on another term in their positions.

Council voted unanimously to elect Robert Carr as council president and Robert Harrold as vice president. Carr succeeded outgoing Councilman Jerome Ranally as president while Harrold filled the post previously held by Fiala.

The new council confirmed the mayor’s appointments of Assistant Finance Director Diane Bosley as the city’s finance director and Mike Lucas as the city’s law director to take effect upon John Wiles retirement, which is expected to occur in March.

Council also confirmed the mayor’s appointments of Jim Ralston to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Ken Kary as council’s representative to the Planning Commission, and McNeill to the Shade Tree Commission.

The mayor has two more directors to put in place: Economic and Community Development, and Service.

Fiala noted that interviewing for the positions is in progress, and he expects to have candidates to present to council for confirmation at the Jan. 16 meeting.

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS-HERALD Willoughby Mayor Robert Fiala is surrounded by his family as Willoughby Municipal Court judge Marisa Cornachio administers the oath of office during the Jan. 2 City Council meeting at Willoughby City Hall.