Two newly-elected members joined Berea City Council during inauguration ceremonies on Jan. 4.
Vance Redding is the new council representative for Ward 1 and Michael Kurtz represents Ward 2. They were sworn into office by Mayor Cyril Kleem.
Redding is a retired Teamster and member of Local 507. He worked as a painter at the I-X Center and was security manager at the Variety Theatre on Cleveland’s West Side. He spent his childhood in Berea, attending Loomis School. He is a graduate of John Marshall High School where he was captain of the football and wrestling teams.
Kurtz is from the Akron area where he was active with Special Olympics and other community projects. He was twice named Akron Volunteer of the Year. Kurtz is an 8th grade science teacher at a charter school on the East Side. In Berea, he coaches through the Berea Recreation Center a girls 7/8 softball team, the Berea Youth Running Club and sponsors the Kurtz Classic basketball tournament for children in grades 1-4, now in its third year.
Also receiving their oaths of office at the ceremony in Berea Municipal Court chambers were council members who were re-elected in November. They are Jim Maxwell, president of council; Chris McManis, council at large; Lisa Weaver, Ward 3; Erika Coble, Ward 4; and Rick Skoczen, Ward 5. Gene Zacharyasz, council at large, was on vacation and will be sworn into office when he returns.
In his remarks, Mayor Kleem said it was important to develop a relationship with council members. “I find out what’s important to them versus what’s important to me,” he said.
Maxwell noted that this is the 12th time he has been sworn into office, first as a ward councilman in the early 2000s. He said all council members share a dream of giving back to the community. “I grew up in a home where serving the people of Berea was important,” he said. Maxwell’s late father, Stan Maxwell, was also council president, and his mother, Beverly Maxwell, owned a small business in Berea.
Retired Berea police officer Dave Kammerman served as master of ceremonies. He said, “Sitting on City Council isn’t about recognition. It’s about responsibility and an opportunity to move the City forward.”
Following the inauguration ceremony, there was an organizational meeting. Chris McManis was voted by council members to be president pro tem. He will serve as council president in the absence of Council President Jim Maxwell. Alycia Esson was elected as council clerk.
Maxwell made committee appointments. Building & Zoning – Zacharyasz, chair; Coble and Skoczen.
Coordinating – Maxwell, chair; all members of council.
Court – McManis, chair; Kurtz and Zacharyasz.
Economic Development – McManis, chair; Skoczen and Zacharyasz.
Facilities - Weaver, chair; Coble and Redding.
Finance – Skoczen, chair; McManis and Zacharyasz.
Public Safety & Service – Redding, chair; Skoczen and Weaver.
Senior & Community Services – Coble, chair; Redding and Weaver.
Utilities – Kurtz, chair; Weaver and Zacharyasz.
Kurtz, Maxwell, McManis and Skoczen were appointed to the Mayor’s Ad Hoc Water and Sewer Rates Committee.
Council members serve two-year terms.