Hempfling voted Council president

By Diane Chiddister

At its first meeting following the Nov. 6 election, the new Yellow Springs Village Council on Monday night unanimously elected Judith Hempfling president and Karen Wintrow vice-president.

Hempfling and Wintrow were the sitting members of Council, having been elected two years ago for four-year terms. Since the resignation last winter of former Council President Jocelyn Hardman, Wintrow, the previous Council vice-president, had been acting as president. .

New Council members are Lori Askeland and John Booth, and incumbent Kathryn Van der Heiden, who had previously been appointed to Council, was elected for the first time. As the highest vote-getters, Askeland and Booth will serve four-year terms and Van der Heiden will serve for two.

In her first statement as president, Hempfling called for a robust community dialogue, with respect for minority opinions.

“I think the whole Council is committed to respecting minority views in the village and encouraging full participation,” she said, stating that the Council members intend to role model being “respectful and inclusive.” Following such a policy, she said, “will not only strengthen community but will help us make better decisions.”

Wintrow stated that she looks forward to “new ideas and new approaches” brought by the incoming Council members. She also stated that Council has had “a tumultuous two years,” and that “we have a lot facing us, a lot of big decisions.”

The evening’s business also included making assignments to Council commissions and boards. Askeland will serve as the Council representative on the Planning Commission and the Environmental Commission, Booth will serve on the Human Relations Commission and the Village Mediation program, Wintrow will serve as representative on Chamber of Commerce, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Energy Task Force, Hempfling will serve on the Cable Advisory Panel and the Energy Task Force, and Van der Heiden will serve on the Library Commission, the Regional Planning and Coordinating Commission, and as alternate on Planning Commission.

Other Council business will be covered in next week’s News.