The Galion City Council has appointed Marcia Yunker as the new 4th Ward representative after interviewing two candidates in a closed executive session on Thursday.
Following the unexpected resignation of 4th Ward council member Carrie Zeger on July 14, the council held a special meeting to fill the vacant seat. Two candidates were considered: Dr. Thomas Fellner, who resides on South Boston Street, and Marcia Yunker, who lives on Sunnyside Drive.
After deliberation, the council selected Yunker with a 4 to 1 vote. Council member Ken Bodkins was absent from the meeting, while council member-at-large Brian Palmer cast the lone dissenting vote.
After the vote, Fellner thanked the council for its time and said, “I don’t think you could have gone wrong.” Councilwoman Cathy George agreed.
“I’d like to say to both of you that we were like ‘Holy Moses, we’ve got two great candidates!,’ Councilman Mike Richart said.
Yunker said to the council, “I want to thank you so much and thank Doc here. (The interview) was tough, but it was good. I look forward to working with all of you and appreciate your time.”
The new councilwoman will represent the 4th Ward, which includes the area bounded by Harding Way West, South Market Street, and Bucyrus Road – the southwest corner of Galion.
Yunker is a Galion native and active community member. From 1983-2010, she worked in the Galion school system, first as a middle school social studies and physical education teacher and later as an intermediate school teacher.
She served as a paratrooper and rigger in the U.S. Army from 1976-1979 when she was honorably discharged. Yunker has earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and two master’s degrees in school counseling and school administration from Heidelberg and Ashland universities, respectively.
Yunker has been an active member in the Galion community, working as a lifeguard and pool manager at East Park swimming pool; coaching volleyball, softball, basketball and track and field; and providing musical entertainment through Marcia Yunker Music.
She has been a member of the Galion History Center since 2011, where she has served as both president, vice president, and interim curator on the board of directors.
Following her appointment, she told the Inquirer that her vision for her term as 4th Ward representative is to “create a united and collaborative community where all residents work together toward a common goal – to build a better future for Galion.”
Her appointment follows Zeger’s sudden resignation last month. In her resignation letter, Zeger said, “I don’t feel my being on City Council is making any difference in this town. I no longer want to deal with the stress it brings to myself and my family. Too many unethical things happen within this administration and the citizens of this town do not trust the administration or City Council. I no longer wish to be a part of it.”
Hannah Bryan is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer. She can be reached at [email protected].
