CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Council has a new member, and a longtime member voted at his last council meeting Thursday night.
New Councilman Kevin Stanley and returning Councilman Bradley Greene were sworn into office by White County Probate Judge Garrison Baker.
Stanley, who takes a seat on the board, carries on a family tradition from his father, former Mayor Don Stanley.
Longtime Councilman Edward Young ended his 47 years of service on the council at Thursday’s final meeting of the year.
“Ed came to me a just a few days before the election [qualifying] and said, ‘Kevin I’m not going to run’, so it was kinda a spur of the moment,” said Kevin Stanley. :I had to think quick and talked with my dad and decided it was something that I wanted to give back to the city for everything they’ve done for us over the years.”
During Thursday’s meeting, the council talked about areas of work they will be looking at during the coming year, including seeking legislative action in the 2018 General Assembly to increase the council members’ compensation from $50 to $100 for each meeting.
Greene made the motion, saying it’s been some time since council members had an increase.
“Nobody does this for the pay anyway,” Greene said. “It’s just compensation, and to double from 50 to 100, I’ve never seen in 12 years. It’s time for doing that, I believe.”
Also at Thursday’s meeting, Cleveland Mayor Shan Ash presented Young with a photo album commemorating his 47 years of service to the city.
