Councilwoman Janet A. Dowling has been elected president of Mentor City Council by a vote of her peers on January 5th. Mrs. Dowling is the first woman to serve in this role through the city’s 53 year history. She was sworn in by City Law Director, Richard A. Hennig among cheers in a crowded Council chamber.
“I am thrilled, overwhelmed, thankful and any other positive emotion I can think of, all at once,” says Dowling, “I am very appreciative to my colleagues on Council for their support and I am looking forward to continue working with each of them and the Administration to continue all of the positive, successful momentum that we have seen in Mentor over the past few years during difficult economic times.’
Dowling also expressed her gratitude to Mentor residents.
“I am thankful to the voters for keeping Ward 4 Councilman John Krueger, and Ward 2 Councilman Matt Donovan on our team for another four years, and the election of our newest member, Ward 1 Councilman Sean Blake. I am not planning on any sweeping changes in the next two years, I just want to do my part to keep this ship upright, moving ahead and continue to build on the wonderful foundation that previous Councils have provided for us,” said Dowling.
Mrs. Dowling will serve as Council President through 2017. Her Councilwoman-at-Large term runs through January 1, 2018.
Ward 4 Councilman, John A. Krueger, has been elected Vice-President of Council. His father, Donald E. Krueger was first elected in 1964 and served on council for 27 years including stints as Vice President and President during his tenure. Mr. Krueger’s term runs through December 31, 2019.
New Ward 1 Councilman, Sean P. Blake, was also sworn in by Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson. His term runs through December 31, 2019.