Ward 5 residents in North Royalton again have permanent representation. Woodridge Drive resident, Heidi Mallory Webber, 48, was approved by the North Royalton City Council at their special meeting, on Monday, March 13, which included an executive session, prior to the vote.
Webber was one of three Ward 5 residents who were interviewed for the position at a special meeting on Saturday, March 11. Retired Engineer, Ronald Barski and former Ward 5 Councilman Vince Weimer also applied for the seat.
According to the City Charter, “any vacancy in the Council shall be filled by the remaining members thereof for the unexpired term. If the Council fails within thirty (30) days after such vacancy occurs to fill same, the Mayor shall fill it by appointment.” Also, according to the City’s charter, the criteria for the position include residency in the ward for at least one year and two years residency in North Royalton. They must continue to live in the ward for the entire term of office. Also, they cannot be employed by the city, or hold any other elected office, except for that of notary public or member of the State Militia, or Reserve Corps of the United States. All three candidates met the criteria.
According to City’s Charter, “the Council shall have the authority to provide by ordinance or resolution for carrying into effect any or all powers conferred upon municipalities or the inhabitants thereof by the Home Rule provisions of the State of Ohio and the method thereof except where this Charter prescribes that method; and the Council shall perform the duties imposed and exercise the powers conferred upon council of cities by the general laws of the State not conflicting with the Charter or the ordinances and resolutions of the Council. Ordinances and resolutions shall be introduced in the Council only in written or printed form, and the adoption, rejection or amendment, time of taking effect and the signing thereof shall be in the manner provided by the laws of the State of Ohio except as otherwise in this Charter provided. The Council may by general ordinance prescribe the manner of publication of ordinances and resolutions but until so prescribed such publication shall be in the manner provided by statute. The Council shall have the management and control of the finances and property of the Municipality except as is prescribed otherwise in this Charter and by the State of Ohio, and shall have such other powers as shall be conferred by the State of Ohio.”
Webber now fills the Ward 5 seat which had been held by Dawn Carbone McDonald, who resigned, due to a move, on February 20. She will serve the term that expires this December. She indicated that she does not know at this point in time if she will run for the position in November. Council voted 5-1 in favor of Webber. Ward 2 Council Representative, Linda Barath, voted for Barski.
Webber is currently employed at Royal Redeemer Lutheran School as a Lunch Aide. She previously served as a Teacher at Discovery Project Homeschool Cooperative in Brecksville. She was a Staff Attorney for the Mount Vernon Municipal Courts, and Adjunct Professor at the Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She also served as Assistant Law Director for the city of Mount Vernon. She holds a J.D. from Capital University Law School in Columbus and a B.A. from Miami University, with a major in English, with a concentration in journalism. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar in January, 2000.
“We had the opportunity to interview three passionate and professional applicants, who each brought a different perspective and life experience,” stated North Royalton Council President Paul Marnecheck. “ I believe her legal background and municipal experience provide Councilwoman Webber with a solid foundation to serve the remainder of the current Council term. I look forward to working with her.“
Webber was sworn in on March 13 and began the position immediately. She attended her first City Council meeting in that position on March 21.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer