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

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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

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