A familiar face is rejoining the Oxford Village Council at the beginning of April, but only temporarily.
At its March 8 meeting, council appointed village resident Tom Benner to fill Councilman Matt Weber’s seat after his resignation becomes effective Thursday, March 31.
Benner previously served on council from 1995 until 1998, when he lost his bid for re-election to Wendy Taube.
This time around Benner’s only serving until the village election in September ? the last six months of Weber’s term.
Benner made it clear he has no intention of running for the seat and serving a three-year term. With both he and his wife, Marilyn, retired, the village resident of 33 years wishes to maintain their freedom to travel.
When asked if he could change his mind about running, Benner replied, ‘I highly doubt it.?
‘I don’t want to take something I can’t spend 100 percent of my time on,? he said. ‘I take this as quite a responsibility, serving the village people.?
With council preparing for its upcoming 2005-06 budget workshops, Benner explained he thought the village could use someone with ‘a little experience and background? in the budget process as opposed to someone unfamiliar with it.
Thrusting someone new and inexperienced into those budget sessions ‘right off the bat? can be ‘quite a shock,? he said. ‘I just feel like right now I’d be an asset to the village council.?
While he’s on council, Benner said he would also like to give his area of the village more representation. He lives on N. Glaspie St.
‘I feel like the northeast (section) hasn’t had much representation from the village standpoint,? he said. ‘Maybe I can do a little good for our area.?
Benner said his addition to council helps ’round out? its geographic makeup so it represents the ‘entire community.?
Currently, two council members reside in Oxford Lakes (the southeastern portion of the village), while the other three officials live west of M-24.
Benner said he hopes the other two applicants for Weber’s seat ? residents Tracy Nara and Chuck Bromirski ? will get more involved in village government, attend some meetings and decide to run for council in September.