City Council Names Ward 2 Appointee

Painesville City Council is pleased to announce Mario Rodriguez Jr. as their appointee for the vacated Ward 2 council seat. He will be sworn in at the Monday, August 15 City Council meeting, held at 7:30 p.m. in Courtroom #1, Painesville City Hall.

"City Council interviewed six excellent candidates and we were very pleased with the response," said Christine Shoop, Painesville City Council President. "In the end, we focused on what skillset each candidate offered. Mario has a customer service background and knows how to problem solve and communicate effectively. We felt his background would bridge well representing the residents of Ward 2."

Rodriguez, a resident of S St. Clair Street, is well connected in the Painesville community with four children in Painesville City Local Schools. He also served as a volunteer with HOLA Ohio as a Spanish-English interpreter at local events and currently works as a commercial accounts manager for Advance Auto Parts.

"I want to thank all my Ward 2 neighbors that applied. It shows the level of engagement in our city and I am honored to have been chosen. Having the input of all the residents in Painesville is a focus and I hope to be that bridge. I have big shoes to fill left by Katie and I am looking forward to serving the citizens of Painesville," said Rodriguez.

Former Ward 2 City Council representative Katie Jenkins stepped down from the position on July 31, 2022. She had served in the Ward 2 seat since 2013. To fill the vacancy per the Painesville City Charter, City Council was tasked with appointing a Ward 2 representative for the remainder of Jenkins' unexpired term. The next City Council ward election will be held in November 2023.