By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two new members were sworn into Bowling Green City Council Monday evening – creating an even more lopsided group than normal with six Democrats and one Republican.
But that doesn’t worry Mark Hollenbaugh, who was re-elected as president of council Monday.
“Our council isn’t hyper partisan,” said Hollenbaugh, a Democrat. Bowling Green City Council members tend to focus on matters in the best interest of the city – and vote accordingly, he said.
“I don’t expect that to change,” he said after the meeting.
Hollenbaugh also isn’t concerned about the loss of institutional knowledge with council members Rachel Phipps and Greg Robinette not returning to the body.
“That’s exactly what happens every time we have a new election,” Hollenbaugh said. “There will be new eyes looking at old problems.”
And the two new council members – Katelyn Elliott and Kathleen Dennis – aren’t coming into the job green. Both have been attending council meetings and are involved in community organizations.
“They are going to be able to hit the ground running,” said council member Bill Herald.
At the beginning of the council meeting, all members elected in November were sworn in by Bowling Green Municipal Court Judge Alyssa Blackburn. The only member whose term was not up in the election was at-large council member Jeff Dennis.
Returning members sworn in were Fourth Ward council member Herald (the sole Republican on council now), At-large council member Hollenbaugh, First Ward council member Jordan Musgrave and Second Ward council member Joel O’Dorisio. New members sworn in were Third Ward council member Kathleen Dennis and At-large member Katelyn Elliot.
“Welcome our new members, and condolences to returning members,” joked Hollenbaugh.
Mayor Mike Aspacher congratulated those joining and returning to council, and stressed the importance of fulfilling the oath they just swore to uphold.
“The responsibilities we bear as elected officials” are great, Aspacher said. “Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.”
After the meeting, both new members talked about areas they would like to focus on.
Elliott said she is interested in hearing input from city residents about possible bicycle accommodations in the downtown area. “I want to see what folks are thinking about that,” she said.
Elliott is also looking forward to updates on the rental housing inspection program – with hopes that the program is working to improve quality and safety of rental housing.
Kathleen Dennis is focused on council continuing building a stronger community through zoning, subdivision regulations and “smart” streets.
“I think we’re going in the right direction,” she said.
Dennis is also interested in building resilience in the community and increasing the availability of affordable housing.
“That was so important to my parents when they moved here,” she said.
