Councilman Vito Dipierro Takes On New Role As Parma Council President

Vito Dipierro presides over his first council meeting.

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Ward 1 Councilman Vito Dipierro started a new position on Parma City Council and now presides over meetings as council president. The seat was vacated in early January after Sean Brennan resigned. Brennan was elected in November 2022 as the new 14th Ohio House District state representative, serving Parma, Parma Heights and half of West Park in Cleveland. He was Parma council president for 11 years. Dipierro will serve the remainder of Brennan’s term through the end of 2023 and then will be on the ballot for the next term.

Parma Democratic City Leader Tom Mastroianni, who is also the city’s treasurer, explained the selection process. He said because Brennan is a Democrat, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections notified the county’s Democratic Party of the vacancy. The county Democratic Party then notified Democratic Central Committee members of the meeting to vote on the council president’s appointment. “I’m excited to continue serving the city as council president. Being a Ward 1 councilman for nine years was an honor, and I’m grateful to have had the confidence of the voters to be their voices on Parma City Council,” Dipierro said. “It has also prepared me for the citywide position. I’m looking forward to being able to serve all the residents of Parma.” “I have worked with Vito over the last several years. He will do a great job in the leadership role of president of council. He prides himself on open communication and dialogue with all members of council in order to do what is best for all residents,” said Parma Clerk of Council Kristin Saban, who previously was Ward 4 councilwoman before taking on her new position following Ken Ramser’s retirement last fall.

Mastroianni explained that because Dipierro was an independent when elected, the role of naming his replacement falls to City Council. Council members will be voting to appoint the Ward 1 vacancy on Monday, Feb. 6. The position was posted Jan. 18 through Jan. 27. Applicants submitted resumes to the clerk of council’s attention, and the resumes were sent to all council members for review. “I look forward to working with Council President Dipierro in his new role. He has years of experience as a councilperson and will bring that knowledge and perspective to this position,” said Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter.