MasonBuzz.com

Mason City Council will swear in its three newly elected members at an organizational meeting on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Council veterans Tom Grossmann and Victor L. Kidd return after a two-year absence from council.

Grossmann, 55, served two terms on Mason’s city council from 2001 to 2009 and as mayor from 2007 to 2009.  An attorney with nearly 30 years experience, he’s currently an assistant prosecutor with Hamilton County.

Kidd, 52, a local minister and coffee shop owner, served two terms on Mason’s city council before stepping down in 2009 to lead a church in Hawaii.

For newcomer Berry Spaeth, 51, the seat presents her first chance to hold political office.  She retired in 2005 from a 20-year career as a caseworker and special needs adoption specialist with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and now works part-time in the child nutrition department for Mason Schools.

Incumbent Mike Gilb, a lawyer and former state representative for a northern area of Ohio, lost his seat on council in the Nov. 8 election.

The other two seats replace councilmembers Christine Shimrock, who chose not to seek a second term, and Tony Bradburn, who is forced to leave due to term limits.

Gilb, Bradburn and Shimrock will be recognized for their service at council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 28.

The meeting, which is open to the public, begins at 3 p.m., followed by a reception for new members.  Meetings are held in council chambers on the first floor of the Mason Municipal Center at 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Posted in: Events, Political events |

Tags: Tags: barbara berry spaeth, christine shimrock, city council, city of mason, council meeting, election, election 2011, mason, mike gilb, newcomer, reception, tom grossmann, tony bradburn, veteran, victor kidd, victor l. kidd

Mason city voters Tuesday returned two former council veterans and voted in one newcomer to Mason’s City Council, according to unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, former Mason councilman and mayor Tom Grossmann led the City Council race with 20.3 percent of the vote.

He was trailed by newcomer Barbara Berry Spaeth with 19.3 percent and former Mason councilman Victor L. Kidd with 17 percent of the votes.

Seven candidates vied for three positions on Mason’s City Council.

Incumbent Mike Gilb, a lawyer and former state representative for a northern area of Ohio, was edged out of the race after receiving 13.9 percent of votes.

The other two seats replace councilmembers Christine Shimrock, who chose not to seek a second term, and Tony Bradburn, who is forced to leave due to term limits.

Other candidates in the field were: Scott W. Pierce (11.9 percent), Brad Glass (9.5 percent) and Chet Mastalerz (7.9 percent).

Two candidates elected will prove to be familiar faces for many Mason voters.

Grossmann, 55, served two terms on Mason’s city council from 2001 to 2009 and as mayor from 2007 to 2009.  An attorney with nearly 30 years experience, he’s currently an assistant prosecutor with Hamilton County.

Kidd, 52, a local minister and coffee shop owner, served two terms on Mason’s city council before stepping down in 2009 to lead a church in Hawaii.

For newcomer Berry Spaeth, 51, the seat presents her first chance to hold political office.  She retired in 2005 from a 20-year career as a caseworker and special needs adoption specialist with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and now works part-time in the child nutrition department for Mason Schools.

With more than 85 percent of votes, Mason voters handily passed a Charter Amendment, according to unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections.

The amendment would clarify that a partial term to which a Council member is appointed is not included in the calculation of consecutive years of service.

As expected, Kevin Wise and Courtney Allen, who ran unopposed for two seats on Mason Schools’ Board of Education, both won seats.  Marianne G. Culbertson, who also ran unopposed for an unexpired term on the school board, was also elected.

Voters also approved a measure that would allow Raja India restaurant to sell liquor on Sunday.

Posted in: City Council, Election, News |

Tags: Tags: barbara berry spaeth, christine shimrock, election, election 2011, government, mason, mason city council, mike gilb, newcomer, politics, tom grossmann, tony bradburn, veterans, victor l. kidd