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NEWTON FALLS -- Village council will be looking for a new representative for the 3rd Ward as Brenda Persino has submitted her resignation.
Council members at Wednesday's meeting accepted her resignation and praised her service in working for the betterment of the community and parks and recreation.
Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said they will prepare an advertisement seeking applicants from the 3rd Ward to fill the seat. Council members said Persino resigned for personal reasons.
Councilwoman Patricia Benetis, D-1st Ward, said Persino did a great job. Councilman Kevin Rufener, D-4th Ward, said Persino gave 100% to whatever she was involved with and always had the best intentions.
"She put a lot into bettering the community. I appreciate the time she spent here," he said.
Persino was selected to fill the 3rd Ward seat when former councilwoman Tessa Spletzer was removed by the voters in a recall election in 2023.
POLICE CHIEF CANDIDATES
In other business, council met in executive session for more than two hours to interview candidates for police chief.
The three applicants were John Barco, who served with the Newton Falls Police Department; David Garvey, who also served with Newton Falls and the Ohio Lottery Commission; and Michele Mercer of the Lordstown Police Department.
Stimpert said council is in the preliminary stages of preparing for the future of the police department and was interviewing candidates to see who would be in charge if the department comes back. Current police Chief Gene Fixler assisted with the interviews.
Council also met in executive session to interview two candidates for an opening on the Newton Falls Joint Fire District Board and selected Terry Wentworth, effective Jan. 1 Wentworth, who has served previously on the fire board, was chosen over Terry Coons.
Council members said both candidates were excellent and either would do well on the fire board.
Councilman Brian Axiotis, D-2nd Ward, said both applicants brought good ideas to the table.