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Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella addresses supporters, residents and city employees in council chambers after being sworn in Monday morning in the screen capture from the city’s Facebook stream of the event.
(Screen Capture)
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Belpre city officials pose for a photo after being sworn in Monday morning in council chambers. Pictured are, back row from left, Council members Nathaniel Godfrey and Dave Ferguson, Mayor Susan Abdella, and Council members Bill Locke, Richard Seebaugh and John Ambrozy; front row from left, Council member Penne Riffle, Council President Larry Martin and Council member Lyndsay Dennis.
(Photo Provided)
Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella addresses supporters, residents and city employees in council chambers after being sworn in Monday morning in the screen capture from the city’s Facebook stream of the event.
(Screen Capture)
BELPRE — New Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella believes good things are coming to the city, but it will take a group effort to capitalize on them.
“The growth that’s coming to this community – we cannot do this alone. We have to do this as a team,” she said.
Abdella wasn’t just addressing the Belpre City Council members sworn in along with her on Monday. She spoke to municipal employees, community members and business leaders who gathered in council chambers for the ceremony.
“If you have an idea, have a thought, let’s work together to make this a great place,” she said.
Having served 10 years on council, Abdella was elected mayor in the fall from a field of four following previous Mayor Mike Lorentz’s decision not to seek another term. The retired health care administrator said after taking the oath of office that this venture will be a new experience for her.
Belpre city officials pose for a photo after being sworn in Monday morning in council chambers. Pictured are, back row from left, Council members Nathaniel Godfrey and Dave Ferguson, Mayor Susan Abdella, and Council members Bill Locke, Richard Seebaugh and John Ambrozy; front row from left, Council member Penne Riffle, Council President Larry Martin and Council member Lyndsay Dennis.
(Photo Provided)
“I’m scared to death, I’ll admit,” she said. “But I think we have a great crew to work with. And I’m looking forward to the challenges and the changes.”
Everyone has a skill that can benefit the city, she said.
“The staff that this city has right now is amazing,” Abdella said. “The leadership in the departments – they know what to do, and they’re rocking it. So I feel like I’ve come at a wonderful time to help us continue to grow and move forward.”
On the horizon is the Memorial Health System and Akron Children’s Hospital’s planned construction of a Women and Children’s Hospital and opportunities for new housing and jobs, she said.
Abdella is beginning a four-year term, as is incumbent Law Director Tom Webster. Council members’ terms are for two years.
Also taking their oaths of office Monday were incumbent Council President Larry Martin, At-Large Council member Dave Ferguson and 3rd Ward Council member Lyndsay Dennis. Council members Bill Locke, 1st Ward, and Penne Riffle, At-Large, are returning to council after serving previously, while Council members Rick Seebaugh, 2nd Ward, John Ambrozy, 4th Ward, and Nathaniel Godfrey, At-Large, are joining for the first time.
At 24 years old, Godfrey was the youngest candidate in the race.
“This is a huge opportunity for me, and hopefully we can keep the momentum going,” he said.
Ferguson said he’s looking forward to the new term.
“We’ve got some really good new faces on council,” he said.
Abdella noted one of her first orders of business will be hiring a new safety service director in the coming weeks. Connie Hoblitzell had served in the post, which is appointed by the mayor, since November 2019.
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