November 2015 Council Corner
Council Member Gerri Harbison
With Election Day on the horizon, I thought I would share a little about my fellow Council Members and what they do both for our City and within the community. Each Council Member chairs a council committee and is a member of two other committees. These are in addition to our regularly scheduled meetings twice a month. Per our charter, Council Members are paid $100 per month and the Mayor is paid $200 per month to cover regional duties. While Council is a true job with a solid time commitment, typically most council members hold jobs outside of their council duties.
Ken Suer takes on his many duties with enthusiasm and dedication. His previous tenure on Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals gives him the background to represent Montgomery at many community meetings. As a retired educator, Ken now has the time to devote his talents as an accomplished artist and craftsman/carpenter. Ken and his wife Carol have been Montgomery residents for 26 years. They have two children who have graduated from Sycamore High School and are now living in Columbus.
Craig Margolis brings his extensive experience from Planning Commission to Council, along with his talents in commercial sales. He spends his time supporting the Environmental Advisory Commission to raise the awareness of environmental issues. Craig also supports the Montgomery Farmer’s Market and Chamber of Commerce. While his work with the City takes precedence, Craig continues his community work with the Wise Brotherhood. With a daughter living in New Orleans, Craig and his wife Julie continue to find many ways to serve their community.
Chris Dobrozsi and his wife Michelle moved to Montgomery in 1999 and along with their sons Andrew and James have been very active in Sycamore Schools and youth sports programs over the years. Chris brings his knowledge from a very successful career in commercial real estate development to both the Landmarks Commission and City Council. Chris represents the City on the Board of Directors of OKI Regional Council of Governments. In his spare time, he is active in Boy Scouts, enjoys running the beautiful streets of the City and attending the Montgomery Farmer’s Market along with the family dog, Boone.
Lynda Roesch is an attorney with a practice that focuses on trademark and unfair competition law as well as copyright and intellectual property law. Lynda has actively worked with the U.S. House and Senate on laws relating to trademarks and the internet. Lynda has been our council liaison on the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (BAMSO) board for more than twelve years. Lynda has served two years as President of the board, and currently serves on the Audit and Music Committees. The Board meets frequently throughout the year to plan the many concerts offered each year. In her free time, Lynda enjoys walking and running through and around the streets of Montgomery.
Ann Combs and her husband, Mark, have been residents of Montgomery since 1983, raising their children through the Sycamore Community Schools. She currently enjoys of counsel status with the law firm of Kohnen & Patton where she was a managing partner after practicing law for 33 years. Ann volunteers with Matthew 25 Ministries and tutoring children at Operation Give Back.
Pending election results, we look forward to welcoming Mike Cappel as our newest member in December. Mike is a lifelong resident of Greater Cincinnati growing up in Kenwood, holds degrees in Environmental Science, Natural Science and History from UC where he currently studies Communications. Mike’s professional experience includes 4 years at the Greater Cincinnati Water Works, as well as 27 years in the Metropolitan Sewer District’s Regulatory Compliance and Safety Division. Mike also served 15 years in the US Army Reserve and Ohio National Guard and has chaired our Environmental Advisory Commission for the last 5 years. Mike’s personal interests include his family, cooking, energy efficiency and early 20th century history. Mike can be seen early most weekday mornings strolling through downtown Montgomery coffee cup in hand.
Todd Steinbrink will be leaving us in December to concentrate his time on his family and his business. We are grateful that Todd has volunteered his time with the City beginning with the Board of Zoning Appeals in 2000, elected as a council member since 2003 and currently our Mayor. Thank you Todd for sharing your time and talents! You will definitely be missed!
And me, well Mike and I have been residents since 1985 and our empty nest allows me to focus on my real estate career and my council duties. But this column is not about me. It is about the dedicated folks who work tirelessly for our community. It takes a very healthy ego to be successful in their respective careers. But everyone is able to leave those egos at the door as they enter City Hall and work together for what is best for Montgomery. I know that they will be a bit embarrassed that I have called attention to them. But between Montgomery Council and our entire City Staff, it is an honor to work with such a consummate group of professionals whose only goal is to make Montgomery a great place to live and work!
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Every year during Fire Prevention Week (this year it was Oct. 4-10), the Montgomery Fire Department visits Montgomery Elementary School to talk to the students about fire safety. In conjunction with the Montgomery Recreation Department, Fire Prevention Week also includes a Montgomery Fire Department sponsored Fire Safety Poster Contest for those students in Kindergarten, first and second grades.
