Council names first female vice mayor, reelects mayor

Hale excited the group ‘has the faith in me’ to do her job

Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Dobrozsi Romans swears in Anna Hale, Todd Hickman, and Robert Routson during the Monroe council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 12. Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard

ENLARGE PHOTO

Resident burned in fire remains in hospital
Updated 5 min. ago
Have you seen this man?
Updated 28 min. ago
Gas prices rising this weekend
8:56 p.m.
Home builders continue fight against township impact fees
6:11 p.m.
Students arrested for passing prescription drugs to classmates
5:12 p.m.
> More headlines

E-mail this page

By Denise Wilson, Staff Writer Updated 10:42 PM Sunday, January 17, 2010

MONROE — The suspense finally came to an end Tuesday night, Jan. 12, when councilman Robert Routson was re-named mayor and councilwoman Anna Hale was named the city’s first woman vice-mayor.

Hale said she is “very excited” to be named vice mayor.

“I’m just very happy that the rest of the council has the faith in me that I can do a good job. I’m just so dedicated to the city; I just want to do the best I can in any capacity that I serve for the city,” she said.

Also Tuesday, Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Dobrozsi Romans simultaneously swore in incumbents Routson and Hale and newcomer Todd Hickman, who all were elected in November, during the council meeting.

Hickman, a 48-year-old registered nurse and quality assurance and risk manager for Strategic Nursing Systems in West Chester Twp., is the nephew of Romans. He was elected to serve a four-year term, beating out incumbent Steven Tannreuther.

Routson, who previously served as mayor, was voted mayor in an unanimous 7-0 vote.

He won re-election to his fourth term during the November general election. He has served on council since January 1998 and as mayor since January 2004.

Routson said he was “happy and honored” to continue serving as mayor of the community.

Hale, who is serving her second four-year term on council, was elected vice-mayor in a 6-1 vote. Councilman Bob Kelley abstained.

Hale, who was the top vote-getter in the council race during the November election, is the first woman to serve as vice mayor, according to city officials. She is in the first year of her second term on council.

Councilman Tracy Shell nominated Kelley to serve as vice mayor and Routson seconded the motion, but council rejected him filling the role by a close 4-3 vote.

Kelley, who is serving his second four-year term on council, declined comment after the meeting.

Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5219 or dewilson@coxohio.com.

View more photos from the council meeting. www.PulseJournal.com

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

I have heard from a pretty good source that CMSQUARE is going to run for council. He will turn things around and make this a city to be even more proud of. He will be one of the most educated people ever to run for a seat in Monroe. After he is elected, I think I will run and then Monroe will have two of it's smartest citizens running the show!

ADH
5:30 PM, 1/18/2010

REPORT ABUSE

BK would be very very smart not to run for council again as it will keep him from being so embarassed when he get voted out by such a large count.

Britton
5:13 PM, 1/18/2010

REPORT ABUSE

BK has brought a lot of the stuff being said about him on by his own actions. Whether it is right or wrong he has been a smart a$$ to many on other forums himself. So BK is no angel to slinging mud. He might have even been mis-quoted when he implied that he was going to use his council seat as a stepping stone to another political stage. Whether he meant it or not it was put in print. Live by your "mouth", die by you "mouth" in the political world.

Hornet07
4:01 PM, 1/18/2010

REPORT ABUSE

I am honored to have Mr. Kelley representing me and many people I know support Mr.Kelley simply because he speaks his mind and takes the interest of the people he represents first not the his own pocket book like some people in Middletown. Many of you sit in front of your little computer everyday moaning and complaining but you never get off your feet and do anything about it. Its sad to see grown men and women acting in this way on a public forum. Truly sad to see!

JustWatching
1:57 PM, 1/18/2010

REPORT ABUSE

Bob Kelley is a good man that has done more for the City of Monroe then any of you could imagine. He was the ring leader in bringing the outlet mall to Monroe. I know for a fact he worked countless hours trying to bring Cincinnati Premium Outlets to Monroe. He also was the eyes and ears behind the Home Depot center coming to Monroe. Bob Kelley also volunteers countless hours of his time to the local school district and goes out his was to help everyday people.

JustWatching
1:52 PM, 1/18/2010

REPORT ABUSE

There are 13 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.