November 24, 2005

By Robert Mihalek

A new Village Council was introduced during Council’s meeting on Monday.

Before a large audience of family, friends and supporters, Yellow Springs Mayor David Foubert administered the oath of office to Judith Hempfling, Bruce Rickenbach and Karen Wintrow. They were elected to Council during the Nov. 8 election, and joined Council members Mary J. Alexander and Jocelyn Hardman.

As the top vote-getters in the election, Hempfling and Wintrow received four-year terms. Rickenbach, who was appointed to Council in April, received a two-year term.

Foubert, who ran unopposed in the November election, was also sworn in for his eighth term as mayor.

Council members unanimously elected Hardman as the president of Council. She was the only Council member nominated for the position.

Rickenbach proposed the nomination, saying that Hardman, who was elected to a four-year term in 2003, is the most senior member of Council, after Alexander, who plans to resign from Council because of health reasons. Alexander was first appointed to Council in March 2003 and was elected to a four-year term later that year in November.

Wintrow was unanimously elected the vice president of Council. She was the only Council member nominated for the position. Hardman made the nomination.

As it typically does during its first meeting after an election, Council named its representatives to its boards and commissions. Council members did not vote on the positions.

Alexander will continue to serve as Council’s representative on the Cable Advisory Panel. She also agreed to serve as Council’s liaison with the Village Mediation Program Steering Committee and as the alternative representative on the Greene County Regional Planning Commission.

Hardman will serve as Council’s representative to the Library Commission and the Greene County Regional Planning Commission. She will also serve as the alternative representative on the Environmental Commission.

Hempfling will represent Council on the Human Relations Commission and the Environmental Commission. She is the alternative representative on the Planning Commission.

Rickenbach will continue to represent Council on the Planning Commission, on which he serves as chairman. He also volunteered to be Council’s representative on the Community Council, where he also serves on the board and as treasurer. He will serve as the alternative representative on the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Wintrow will represent Council on the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Chamber of Commerce, with which she volunteers. She will also serve as the alternative representative to the Human Relations Commission.

Contact: rmihalek@ysnews.com