Brunswick swears in three new City Council members

BRUNSWICK — Three new Brunswick City Council members took oaths of office Tuesday, marking the end of a process that included razor-thin general election margins. Former Medina County Commissioner Tim Smith and Brunswick City Schools teacher Kristy Piper will step into at-large seats while local business owner Brandon Lambert takes over in Ward 3. A tight at-large race with three open seats mandated a recount after early tallies essentially split the vote into fourths. According to amended results, Smith earned the largest share at 26.2 percent and was followed by incumbent Joe Delsanter's 25.1 percent. Smith also sat on Brunswick Council from 2003-2008 before being named city economic director, a role he filled until 2014. He then served as a Medina County commissioner from 2016-2018. "I have experience in this area and with two people leaving Council this past year I thought it might be time to serve again," Smith said. "I'm very passionate about economic development. I think businesses want to be wanted when they're here. They like to be appreciated. A long time ago when I first got on Council that was my top priority, to work with the businesses, and I've always continued to do that." Piper edged fellow at-large challenger Keri Russell by just 19 votes, 24.44 percent to 24.26 percent, among 10,610 total ballots cast. "I'm very excited to be here and I love Brunswick so much," Piper said. "With my career and becoming an educator here, I love the children and people of Brunswick. I fell in love with the city and I've committed myself to my career and the community. I want to do the best that I can for you and be a servant for you. That's why I'm here." Ohio 9th District Court of Appeals Judge and former U.S. Congresswoman Betty Sutton was invited to swear in Piper. In Ward 3, Lambert prevailed by a vote margin of 513-509 over Joseph Stephan. That result came after a recount and election night results that pointed to a 509-508 victory for Stephan, which was flipped by mail-in ballots trickling in across ensuing days. "I firmly believe we're all put here by the people and for the people," said Lambert. "That's something that's very important to me. I also believe we can have both big thought and big action here in Brunswick. It's a great, growing city with a lot of potential and businesses coming to the area, mine included. There's more residents every day and my ward expanded recently. All the wards have new construction, new people, and new opportunities. If you know my story, you know that every vote counts." The winning newcomer trio will take over, respectively, for Brian Ousley, Tom Miller and Valerie Zak, who all decided against running for reelection. Delsanter will begin his fourth Council term and has also served as vice mayor in the past. "The one thing I keep telling people when they ask why I do, I tell them that old story about someone needing to do something about this," Delsanter said. "Well, there has to be a somebody. When you serve in public office, you take your responsibilities seriously and honestly. You're the person. I'm happy that I'm able to do that and see how the city has continued to grow. To my colleagues who are new to Council and returning to Council, try not to forget it's the people's money and it's the people who put you here." Ousley had filled the at-large seat for the past nine years while building a reputation as an advocate for labor and local food banks. Miller, a 20-plus-year member of the Medina County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board and former Medina County sheriff, only stepped onto Brunswick Council in July following Patricia Hanek's retirement. Various public service stints have amounted to roughly 30 years with Brunswick and 20 with Medina County. Zak served as the Council's assistant clerk from 2000 until 2019, a term closely preceding her appointment as Ward 3's representative, taking over after the death of Councilman Frank Raso in the summer of 2020. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.