North Perry choices will serve well

Having well-qualified people in the right positions plays an important part in helping local government entities to function effectively. Based on that idea, we believe that North Perry Village Council has positioned itself to operate productively and smo

Recently, council faced the tasks of filling a vacancy within its own ranks and choosing a new legal adviser to replace the village solicitor, who’s leaving at the end of March to begin a new job.

Council acted promptly, and during two separate special meetings earlier this month, appointed Derek Foley as councilman and James O’Leary as solicitor.

Foley was chosen to fill a council seat left vacant by the resignation of Roy Blalock. The five council members who remained after Blalock’s departure unanimously approved the selection of Foley at a March 15 special meeting.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be appointed to North Perry Village Council, being a member of the community for the last 17 years,” Foley said, in a March 23 interview.

Foley, who will serve the final 9 ½ months of Blalock’s unexpired four year-term, described North Perry as a great place to live and raise a family.

“I really want to take the opportunity to be able to give back to the community and to allow the community to continue to prosper and move forward,” he said. “I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity to serve ... and help out with future endeavors.”

Blalock announced March 1 that he was resigning from council, effective immediately.

North Perry Village posted an announcement on its website seeking residents interested in completing the remainder of Blalock’s term. The village received applications from eight hopefuls. Council met with every prospect who applied.

“We interviewed eight amazing candidates who I think all would have done a great job for the village,” Council President Brian Titus said. “Mr. Foley blew us all away in his interview and for me that was the deciding factor.”

Foley, in his letter of interest for the council seat, stated that he is a career business professional with 25 years of management experience.

“I am confident that I have the qualifications required to become a beneficial member of council,” he wrote.

Foley currently serves as senior director of complex security sales for Johnson Controls and is based in the company’s Brecksville office.

In addition, Foley noted that the 25 years he has spent working for the same organization illustrates the importance that he places upon loyalty and commitment.

“I will always push forward for what I believe in,” he wrote.

If Foley wishes to remain on council after Dec. 31, he’ll need to run for a four-year term in the Nov. 2 election.

At a March 22 special meeting, council appointed O’Leary as North Perry’s new solicitor.

Titus said O’Leary’s qualifications are impressive.

“I can’t speak for everyone on council, but I came to my decision based on Mr. O’Leary’s experience in municipal law and some really high recommendations from some local residents and local officials,” Titus said, in a March 23 email.

Eight attorneys, including, O’Leary, applied for the opportunity to succeed Laura Pizmoht as village solicitor. Pizmoht is resigning her position with North Perry on March 31 to become Ashtabula County chief deputy civil prosecutor.

O’Leary, in his letter of interest for the solicitor’s job, stated that he has “vast experience in municipal law.”

Along with new role in North Perry, O’Leary currently serves as solicitor and police prosecutor for Perry Village, and assistant solicitor/law director in Grand River and Kirtland Hills villages.

O’Leary’s background also includes a short stretch as appointed judge of Painesville Municipal Court. On Sept. 27, 2019, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine named O’Leary to replace Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael Cicconetti, who retired a week earlier.

Although O’Leary ran in the Nov. 5, 2019, general election to fill out the remainder of Cicconetti’s term, he was unsuccessful. Paul Malchesky defeated O’Leary.

Before being appointed as Painesville Municipal Court judge, O’Leary also held the position of Willoughby Hills law director for nine months.

We feel that Foley and O’Leary are good choices to join the governmental leadership team in North Perry Village. We wish both men the best of luck in their new roles.