North Royalton Council President Paul Marnecheck was recently hired as the Economic Development Commissioner for the City of Brookpark. His hiring was announced at the Brookpark City Council meeting on February 1.
Marnecheck served North Royalton as the Ward 4 City Councilman from December 2009 to December 2019. He then was elected as North Royalton Council President, with his term starting in January 2020 and where he is currently serving a four-year term.
Before being named Brookpark Economic Development Commissioner, Marnecheck worked for the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). He held the position of GCP Director of Business Development from July, 2018 to November, 2021; The GCP Membership Development Manager from January, 2016 to July, 2018; the COSE Membership Advisor from January to December, 2015 and the COSE Manager of Small Business Solutions from May, 2013 to January, 2015. He holds an MA in Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from Kent State University.
When asked if he sees any conflict with his new job and being a voting member of the North Royalton Planning Commission, Marnecheck responded, “Thankfully, I have access to an intelligent and experienced Law Department. They are always willing to think through an issue and have provided some great guidance. If I need to abstain, I will do so as I have done in the past.”
“To be as direct as I can be, there are no matters pending that would create any conflict of interest issues for him to be able to serve in both capacities,” stated North Royalton Law Director, Tom Kelly. “There is always the potential for a conflict of interest to arise for any council person and there have been a number of them over the years I have been here as Law Director. If and when such a conflict occurs, the council person usually calls me for guidance, which I provide, and a decision is made.” He added that on occasion, “one or another council member will abstain on the basis of a conflict or even to avoid the appearance of impropriety. That will continue to be our practice, I am certain.”
Of Marnecheck’s new position, Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz stated “ I wish him well in his new job.”

 

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer