Whitehall City Council narrowly voted to appoint Patricia Balser as its new city council president at a meeting Tuesday evening.
Balser recently led a failed effort to oust Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens and City Council members Amy Harcar and Lori Elmore. The city council president position doesn't have a vote on council, but does preside over and helps run meetings.
That recall came up frequently as council members interviewed five candidates. The final vote was 4-3 in favor of Balser, with council members Devin Brown, Harcar and Elmore voting for former City Council President Jim Graham.
Balser said she would try to keep the quarrelsome council in check.
"I don't believe council president needs to be the person with all the answers. Council president needs to listen to every voice, understand the process, keep meetings productive, bring people together and help council move forward even when we disagree," she said.
Balser works for a cabinetry and kitchen design business and hasn't served on city council.
Harcar, while questioning Balser, referenced the council's constant infighting over development and its quarrel with the police union.
"I would like to see someone who will put out a fire, not light fuel to it," Harcar said.
Balser said she can keep her political opinions out of the disagreements.
"I've had plenty of experience as a kitchen designer putting fires out, architects and homeowners and really getting heated. And I think I'm a very good, neutral person in solving problems," Balser said.
The seat was vacated by former Whitehall City Council President Thomas Potter following months of infighting and division within the quarrelsome government body. Potter told council he was moving to Columbus and would no longer be qualified to hold the seat.
The president is usually elected by voters in the city, but Potter's resignation prompted the appointment. He won the seat in the 2023 election.
Council members Gerald Dixon, Mike Adkins, Brian McCann and Larry Morrison voted in favor of appointing Balser. Morrison was also a candidate the council considered during the meeting.
Mayor Michael Bivens congratulated Balser in a statement, saying he doesn't want to spend every day fighting political battles.
“My responsibility as mayor remains unchanged. The people of Whitehall did not elect me to spend every day fighting political battles," Bivens said. "They elected me to govern, to manage this city responsibly, provide exceptional services, improve our neighborhoods, strengthen public safety, maintain our infrastructure, grow our economy and improve the quality of life for the people who call Whitehall home. That is where my attention will remain."
The council president seat will be up for reelection in 2027.
