A Year of Firsts
Two women comprise Hilliard City Council leadership in 2024, it is believed for the first time in the city’s history.
For the first time, women compose a majority of City Council- four members. And, for the first time, Democrats compose a majority of City Council with four members. When Emily Cole, a Democrat, was elected in November, along with Greg Betts, they each joined incumbent members and Democrats Cynthia Vermillion and Tina Cottone on the council. Their council peers elected Vermillion as president of council and Cottone as vice president of council at its organizational meeting.
“I take the role seriously and it is an honor to lead my fellow council members,” Vermillion said. Among her goals as council president, Vermillion said she wants to improve communication among both council members and between council and the administration. “It broke down (last year) and it will be corrected this year,” most notably by reinstating standing bi-weekly sessions between council leadership and representatives of the administration, an activity former Council President Omar Tarazi ended early last year, according to Vermillion. Tarazi did not seek re-election to City Council last year instead successfully being elected fiscal officer of Norwich Township.
Vermillion said she has reached out to each member of council and will also do so with the Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce, school district officials, Norwich and Brown townships, and even the library and historical society.
“We are all a community,” she said.
Among the significant issues City Council will undertake in 2024 is a review of the city’s zoning code.
City Council will both independently review and act on the recommendations of the city’s planning and zoning commission concerning what parts of the city’s Community Plan will be made part of the zoning code.
“It is also important to me that we protect the Big Darby watershed,” as development proposals are suggested in the environmentally sensitive area on Hilliard’s far west side. Turning back to the internal workings of City Council, Vermillion said she will also work to curtail what she considered “grandstanding” last year during discussions in which some members held sharply opposing views and opinions on particular subject matters.
Cottone said she looks forward “to a year of respectful conversation and collaboration on council, and also between City Council, Norwich Township, Hilliard City schools and city staff,” even when there is disagreement.
“I know we won’t all always agree, that’s life in general, but we are all capable of making accommodations when needed to come to a workable agreement,” Cottone said. Cottone said she looks forward to working with Betts and Cole. Cole’s election placed a fourth woman on the City Council, joining Vermillion, Cottone and Peggy Hale, a Republican. “It is exciting to welcome two new and very capable members to council, and I’m curious to see what impact these two new personalities will have,” Cottone said.
Cottone said Hilliard City Council’s members and leadership now better reflect the city demographics.
“It’s about time. We now are in alignment with the demographics of our city which is approximately 51% female,” Cottone said.