Euclid City Hall on Dec.27 was filled with friends, family and community members to officially swear in newly elected and re-elected council members — newcomer Dana Heil now of Ward Eight, City Council President Kristian Jarosz, Richard Tolton of Ward Two, and John Wojtila of Ward Six. People gath er to recognize new and re-elected Euclid City Councilmembers. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail administered the oath of office to Jarosz, Wojtila and Heil before turning it over to Judge Deborah Turner, of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, who presented the oath of office to Tolton. “Running for office takes a lot, not only from those who are running but from family and friends,” Holzheimer Gail said during her opening remarks. “They depend on your support all through the election, but also in office. I have been a councilwoman, council president, and now mayor for 10 years, and I will say I have enjoyed it very much. It’s an honor to represent the residents of the city, it’s an honor to work with a group of people who care about the city, and wants us all to improve Euclid with each and everything that we do. So, to those of you being sworn in today, thank you for your service to the city, it is an honor and one we don’t take lightly…” City Councilmember, Richard Tolton of Ward Two, accepts the oath of office given by Judge Deborah Turner. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) City Council President, Kristian Jarosz, stands with his family during a short speech after being sworn in on Dec. 27. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) John Wojtila of Ward Six, thanks his family for standing by his side and the community during his time on council, after his swearing in ceremony for his new 4-year term. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Dana Heil said in an interview after the ceremonies that she was looking forward to learning more about the specific mechanics of some of the departments so that she can understand how to serve her constituents in beneficial ways. “I’m excited about the possibilities,” Heil said. “Ward Eight is mostly residential, so I would really like to concentrate on housing. Because of my background, I worked in churches in Euclid for 30 years, and I have some experience in community organizing and things like that, I would also like to get residents more involved and getting to know each other and more active in the city.” Newly-Elected, Dana Heil, councilmember for Ward Eight thanks the community for coming out to show their support. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) She said that one focus of hers would be to encourage property maintenance of residential houses for both owner-occupied and investment properties — as she feels there has been a decline in keeping them up to date. “I think we have a lot of laws on the books that we have to enforce, and I would encourage more stringent enforcement,” Heil said. “But, before I do anything, I need to research and see exactly what’s going on. “I want to understand how our housing department works. Now, if you get cited, what’s that process like? Are there any teeth in what happens? “Does it hurt you in your pocketbook if you don’t do what you are supposed to do as a landlord and fix your house?” “… I look forward to working with this administration and my colleagues on council,” Heil said with a smile. “And I’m sure they are going to help educate me as well because they have been at it for a little while longer than I have.” ...read more read less