New council member appointed

Elias Coss says he looks forward to helping the community ‘move in the right direction’

Perry Village Council soon will be returning to full strength.

Council, at its regular meeting on Aug. 13, appointed Elias Coss to fill a vacancy on the panel.

Coss is taking over the council position previously held by Devin DiSantis, who resigned on June 11.

“I’m very excited,” said Coss, after the five remaining council members unanimously approved his appointment. “I’m looking forward to helping the village continue to develop, grow and move in the right direction.”

Mayor James Gessic said

Coss was one of four residents to apply for the vacant council seat. Coss and one other applicant were selected to interview for the position.

Gessic said Coss has proven himself as an active and dedicated community volunteer, and will be an excellent addition to council.

Coss also serves on a fivemember committee that has been established to launch and oversee PITCH In, Perry Village’s new community assistance program. Once the program begins operating, PITCH In will help residents in need with tasks such as washing windows, lawn and yard care, and cleaning gutters.

Coss was appointed in December to the Village Planning Commission, but he will resign that seat to become part of Village Council.

His council term formally begins on Sept. 1. He will fill the remaining year and three months of DiSantis’ unexpired term. If Coss wishes to remain on council, he would need to run in the November 2021 election for a four-year term.

This past November, Coss was one of five candidates who sought election to two seats on Village Council. Those positions were captured by incumbent Councilman Mike Glover and political newcomer Murray “Buddy” Semple.

Coss and James Phelps competed in the race as write-in candidates, while the name of challenger Lisa “Lee” Glover appeared on the ballot, along with those of Mike Glover — her husband — and Semple.

Coss got another chance to pursue a council seat when DiSantis stepped down about two months ago.

In an email announcing his resignation, DiSantis said his current work and family schedule did not allow him to serve the community the way he originally had intended as a council representative.

DiSantis was appointed to council on Aug. 23, 2018, after Gessic was elevated to the position of mayor.

Coss, who has lived in Perry Village for nearly seven years, is the owner of Prestige Carpet & Flooring. The business performs installation of carpet and padding and vinyl plank flooring; carpet repairs; and carpet re-stretching.

BILL DEBUS — THE NEWS-HERALD Elias Coss, right, poses for a picture after being appointed on Aug. 13 as the newest member of Perry Village Council. Joining him for the photo is village Mayor James Gessic.