On May 6, the North Royalton City Council voted to replace the President of Council position with one of their own. Ward 4 Council Representative Mary Gorjanc will serve as the new Council President effective May 8. They are now in the process of replacing Gorjanc’s Council seat.
City Council has thirty days to fill the vacancy or it will then be filled by Mayor Paul Marnecheck. According to the North Royalton 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.”
Those who live in North Royalton may be eligible to apply for the position. There are other criteria, according to the City’s charter: “Candidates for Council shall have resided in the Municipality and have been an elector thereof for a period of at least two (2) years next preceding his or her election. Each ward Council member must have lived in his or her ward at least one (1) year prior to election and must continue to live in the ward he or she represents during his or her entire term of office. No member of Council, except as hereinafter provided in this Charter, shall hold any other elected public office or be employed by the Municipality, except that of notary public or member of the State Militia, or Reserve Corps of the United States, or be directly or indirectly involved in the disbursement of public moneys of North Royalton, except while performing his or her duties as Councilperson. To the extent as provided by law, no member of Council shall directly or indirectly solicit, contract for, receive or be interested in the profits or emoluments of any contract, job, work or service with or for the Municipality. Any member who ceases to possess any of the qualifications herein set forth, or who removes from the Municipality, shall thereby forfeit his or her office.”
City Council is accepting resumes, which have to be submitted in person at the North Royalton Council office, located in City Hall, by Thursday, May 28, at 4 p.m. In addition to the resume, an affidavit will also be accepted, confirming that the applicant meets the qualifications. Council will conduct the interviews at City Hall. The interviews are open to the public. In order to comply with the thirty-day time frame, City Council may have to hold a special meeting to appoint the new Council President. Any questions regarding this procedure can be directed to the North Royalton Council office at 440-237-4260.
On becoming the new Council President, Gorjanc stated, “It has been an honor to serve the residents of Ward 4 and, after having been elected to the vacated position of Council President by my peers on Council, I look forward to this new challenge.”
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
