By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Nearly two weeks after the unexpected death of Bowling Green City Council member Neocles Leontis, preliminary plans have begun to fill his empty seat.
“We’re just all beaten up by Neocles’ passing,” said Mike Zickar, head of the Wood County Democratic Party. “This isn’t a process we are looking forward to, but we will fulfill our statutory duties.”
Selecting a person to fill Leontis’ at-large seat on city council will use a different process than in the past. Up until two years ago, City Council would choose a replacement when an opening occurred on council.
But in 2018, the Bowling Green citizens voted to change that process, and instead use the process identified in the Ohio Revised Code, Council President Mark Hollenbaugh said Monday evening.
The new process requires applicants for the vacant council seat to submit resumes for the position. Those resumes will be reviewed by the 14 Bowling Green members of the Central Committee of the Democratic Party.
A meeting will be held sometime prior to Jan. 22, to allow the applicants to speak to the Central Committee members – who will then vote to select a new council member.
Zickar said the details have not been finalized, as far as the timeline and the addresses where applications should be sent. That information will be forthcoming.
During Monday evening’s City Council meeting, Hollenbaugh asked for a moment of silence honoring Leontis.
“I think some of us are still struggling to come to grips with this,” Hollenbaugh said.
“At the end of the day, any individual who had an impact on the place they live has done the best they can,” Hollenbaugh said. “Neocles has done the best he can.”
Mayor Mike Aspacher talked about Leontis’ virtues. “He had the ability to think big, identify big issues, and ask big questions.”
Council member Bill Herald said the commemorations in honor of Leontis have shown how valuable Leontis was to Bowling Green.
“This has been a very difficult two weeks for many in our community,” council member Sandy Rowland said. “He was so loved by many people.”
Leontis was a gift to the community, BGSU, and city council, she said.
“It was an honor to have him on council,” Rowland said. “He was a committed humanitarian, who spoke out whenever, wherever,” for those unable to speak up for themselves.
“I actually wonder if he can ever be replaced in Bowling Green,” she said.
Council member John Zanfardino spoke of Leontis’ brilliance and heart. Though Leontis had served just under a year on council, he was well known to city leaders because of his frequent visits to speak at council meetings.
“Neocles seemed to fit more into a given day than many do in a week,” Zanfardino said.
In addition to being an advocate for the environment, Leontis pushed for energy audits by Columbia Gas, which helped people make their homes more energy efficient.
“He was irreplaceable – a one of a kind person,” Zanfardino said.
Council member Rachel Phipps remembered first seeing Leontis six years ago, when he started frequenting council meetings. She wondered who this chemistry prof was who would come before council and “give them hell” about a coal power purchase agreement.
“He was a whirling world of ideas and action,” Phipps said. “He worked every day to make the world a better place.”
Council member Greg Robinette said he admired Leontis’ passion.
“He had tremendous energy,” Robinette said. “I will remember him for his willingness to serve.”
