Woman who lost election given Pataskala council seat
By Tom Sheehan THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Julie Eichorn lost her bid for a seat on the Pataskala City Council in November but will serve nonetheless.
Council members voted 5-1 Tuesday night to appoint Eichorn Ward 3 council member to replace C. Bernard Brush, who won one of three at-large seats up for election in November. Eichorn finished fourth.
Eichorn had sought Brush?’s recall last year amid controversy over a police levy. Brush, who had tried in vain to have Police Chief Chris Forshey fired, survived a recall election in June.
Tuesday night, Brush voted against Eichorn?’s appointment.
Brush said yesterday that there were other viable candidates for the vacancy with more experience than Eichorn.
Last year, he said, the outcome of the recall election vindicated his stance about the police department. He and Forshey clashed on a variety of issues, including Forshey?’s leadership of the department. Brush had opposed a police levy in May, arguing that an income tax was a better way to pay for city services.
''I?’m really excited about where the city is and where we are heading,?’?’ Eichorn said yesterday. ''I?’m not really concerned about conflict. I can work with all members of council. I put the recall to bed in June. It?’s over.?’?’
She will serve the remainder of Brush?’s unexpired term and would be up for election in November 2007.
Councilwoman Pat Sagar, who nominated Eichorn on Tuesday night, called her an asset to the community.
''I am so impressed with Mrs. Eichorn,?’?’ Sagar said yesterday. ''She is so knowledgeable about things in the city.?’?’
Eichorn said she is unconcerned by an announcement at Tuesday?’s council meeting by former Councilman Mike Fox that he plans to seek her recall. Under the city charter, he would have to wait at least six months before trying to unseat her.
Fox, an unsuccessful candidate for Pataskala mayor in November, had backed Brush on issues involving the police department.
''I?’m just going to focus on the job at hand,?’?’ Eichorn said. ''If that (a recall) comes up at some point, I?’ll deal with it.?’?’
tsheehan@dispatch.com
By Tom Sheehan THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Julie Eichorn lost her bid for a seat on the Pataskala City Council in November but will serve nonetheless.
Council members voted 5-1 Tuesday night to appoint Eichorn Ward 3 council member to replace C. Bernard Brush, who won one of three at-large seats up for election in November. Eichorn finished fourth.
Eichorn had sought Brush?’s recall last year amid controversy over a police levy. Brush, who had tried in vain to have Police Chief Chris Forshey fired, survived a recall election in June.
Tuesday night, Brush voted against Eichorn?’s appointment.
Brush said yesterday that there were other viable candidates for the vacancy with more experience than Eichorn.
Last year, he said, the outcome of the recall election vindicated his stance about the police department. He and Forshey clashed on a variety of issues, including Forshey?’s leadership of the department. Brush had opposed a police levy in May, arguing that an income tax was a better way to pay for city services.
''I?’m really excited about where the city is and where we are heading,?’?’ Eichorn said yesterday. ''I?’m not really concerned about conflict. I can work with all members of council. I put the recall to bed in June. It?’s over.?’?’
She will serve the remainder of Brush?’s unexpired term and would be up for election in November 2007.
Councilwoman Pat Sagar, who nominated Eichorn on Tuesday night, called her an asset to the community.
''I am so impressed with Mrs. Eichorn,?’?’ Sagar said yesterday. ''She is so knowledgeable about things in the city.?’?’
Eichorn said she is unconcerned by an announcement at Tuesday?’s council meeting by former Councilman Mike Fox that he plans to seek her recall. Under the city charter, he would have to wait at least six months before trying to unseat her.
Fox, an unsuccessful candidate for Pataskala mayor in November, had backed Brush on issues involving the police department.
''I?’m just going to focus on the job at hand,?’?’ Eichorn said. ''If that (a recall) comes up at some point, I?’ll deal with it.?’?’
tsheehan@dispatch.com
