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Council pays tribute to former mayor, honors member

Wellsville Mayor Nancy Murray presents Wellsville Board of Education vice president and Ohio School Board Association Northeast Region President Tom Brophey with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the village during Tuesday's Village Council meeting. (Photo by Steve Rappach)

WELLSVILLE — Village Council took time during Tuesday’s meeting to pay tribute to its former mayor and also honor the achievements of a member of the school district’s board of education.

Prior to the start of Tuesday’s session, a moment of silence was observed for former Mayor Nunzio Lombardozzi, who passed away Nov. 26 at the age of 82. Lombardozzi, a longtime community leader known for his service in various organizations and charitable causes, served as a both a mayor (two terms) and councilman (13 years).

Lombardozzi’s son, Anthony Lombardozzi, was on hand and on behalf of his brother Mike and their families, thanked several village members past and present who attended his father’s funeral services last week. Among those thanked were Mayor Nancy Murray, current village administrator Jerry Medley, Fire Chief Barry Podwel, Police Chief Ed Wilson, Councilman John Cianni, former Mayor Susan Haugh and her husband Jeff, and former village administrator Paul Anthony.

“He’s appreciated everything you did for him, and we all appreciate everything he did for you,” Anthony Lombardozzi said.

Wilson responding “I think they all did, Anthony. I don’t think he’ll ever be forgotten, ever.”

Meanwhile, toward the conclusion of the meeting, council recognized current Wellsville Board of Education vice president Tom Brophey for his dedication and service to the school district throughout his ongoing 23-year tenure.

Brophey was recognized last month during the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) Capital Conference and Trade Show, held in Columbus, as one of five board members throughout the state to serve on the All-Ohio School Board for 2016. Brophey, who also serves as president of the OSBA’s Northeast Region, is the first Wellsville board member to receive this honor.

Murray presented Brophey with a certificate of appreciation and also displayed Brophey’s All-Ohio School Board plaque and a book autographed by journalist/television personality Leeza Gibbons, one of the speakers Brophey got to meet during the November conference. Other speakers there included former Ohio State and Cincinnati Bengals running back Archie Griffin and actors Ernie Hudson and Steven Michael Quezada.

In other business:

— In his first report, village administrator Jerry Medley said most of the leaves throughout the village have been cleaned up, and crews now are looking into sewage problems including clogged drains. He also reported that crews removed trees from wires on 10th Street and replaced signs on Broadway Avenue left by the water company.

Medley also discussed the former bank building on Fifth Street, in which he expressed his dissatisfaction with the building’s condition. He noted there are no seals in the third floor, and some windows would need to be boarded up.

— Murray provided an update on the search for members to serve on the Advisory Commission during the village’s Fiscal Emergency period, to which she reported that five applicants have answered to the request, and those resumes have been submitted to the office of Gov. John Kasich. Three will be selected from the governor’s office, to which they will handle the commission. No timeframe on an announcement was given.

— Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah Black, who was unable to attend Tuesday’s session, issued a statement read by Murray, stating that since the village switched the Cemetery Endowment account, the interest earned by the village in the past month is more than what was earned in the past five years. Murray also announced that Black was contacted by representatives from the Ohio Police and Fire Prevention Fund and invited her to serve as a role model client to test out a new server, noting that Black has submitted all reports perfectly this year and has made payments either on time or before the due dates.

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at Village Hall inside council chambers.

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