Chillicothe — Two council members have been appointed recently to fill resignations. Gunner Barnes stepped in for 3rd Ward Deirdre Nickerson for the Democrats, and the Republicans have chosen Mike Elliott to fill in for 4th Ward Steve Barnes.
Both terms end at the end of this year.
Gunner Barnes has been on council for little more than a month, and had announced he was running for election in Febuary. When asked what he brings to council, he answered: youthfulness, a vibrant outlook, marketing experience, and an artistic perspective.
He he lives and works downtown, on Walnut Street. He is also a photographer where he says he tries to show things in different ways, and to show how awesome the town is.
I saw a playful irreverence on his Facebook page, and Barnes says he makes light of certain issues because that can allow better dialogue.
He says he entered council at a heated time with the Anti-Camping ordinance / Chapter 555 revision, but says it was a good learning experience, and jumping in then made it easier to learn about council.
If council tried to override the mayor’s veto of the ordinance, Barnes says he will stay with his “no” vote. He says both sides have good points, but the legislation was rushed, and the city must think more about and discuss homelessness and the homeless.
Aside from grabbing him while running, Barnes says he can be reached through his cell phone, and personal and council email and personal and professional Facebook pages. Hear him in his own words in the below interview video.
Mike Elliott was sworn in as councilman for the 4th Ward by Chillicothe Municipal Court Judge John Street on April 24th. The Ross County Republican Party chose him the fill out the rest of the year for Steve Barnes.
He said he was born and raised in Chillicothe, and he and his wife have raised their three children here, too. His grandfather Paul Thurman also served on council, for 24 years.
Elliott said he works at Chillicothe Middle and High schools as an aide, and is working on becoming intervention specialist. He also owns a landscaping business that he works in the summer.
His LinkedIn profile also shows he was an Activities Coordinator for Friday Night Community Outreach Events for Landmark Christian Church, and was a Middle School Baseball Coach, among many other experiences.
Tonight is his first council session.
