Village government has new faces, new flavor

by Sue Serdinak

Jan . 2 village organizational meeting

The Honorable Donna Carr, judge of the Ninth District Court of Appeals, donned her black robe and swore in Richfield Village’s eighth mayor, Michael Wheeler.

Law Director William Hanna then swore in recently elected councilmembers: Dr. Charles Boester, Sue Ann Philippbar and Bobbie Beshara.

With Wheeler leaving council to serve as mayor, council is left with six members, temporarily.

Council Clerk Jeff Gorman then asked for nominations for council president.  Councilperson Ralph Waszak nominated Michael Lyons, and Philippbar nominated Beshara. Waszak, Dr. Gary Domanick, Boester and Lyons voted for Lyons; Philippbar and Beshara voted for Beshara.

Lyons moved into the seat of presiding officer, and Boester nominated Beshara for vice-president of council. Lyons nominated Domanick. The vote was a tie. Hanna suggested a second vote and Lyons, Domanick, Waszak and Boester voted for Domanick; Philippbar and Beshara voted for Beshara.

Beshara then nominated Philippbar to be council’s representative to the planning commission, and Waszak nominated Boester, who has served on that board for 30 years. Boester, Waszak, Lyons and Domanick voted for Boester; Beshara and Philippbar voted for Philippbar. With Wheeler leaving council to serve as mayor, council must wait 10 days then appoint a replacement to fill his seat. According to the village charter, if council does not appoint a replacement within 30 days, the mayor shall appoint a new council member.

Feature image photo caption: The Honorable Donna Carr swears in Michael Wheeler as Richfield Village’s eighth mayor with his wife and longtime business partner, Polly, nearby.