Governor Mike DeWine has appointed his designee to the financial planning and supervision commission, tasked with advising the city through its fiscal emergency.
Ben Albright, a commercial lender with Park National Bank, was approached by the governor’s office to serve on the commission.
Albright serves on several boards in the community: He is board president for Marion Matters, vice president of Inspire Marion, second vice chair on the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce board, board member for the Marion Family YMCA and a board member for the Marion County Historical Society.
He is also vice president of the River Valley Board of Education and the Tri-Rivers Board of Education.
As a Marion native, he’s kept an eye on the city’s financial challenges and said bringing the issues to light was “a great first step.”
“How long has this kind of been not discussed to where it’s festered for so long as it’s become an issue?” Albright asked. “I think just being able to talk about things and be frank about what hasn’t happened in the last 15 years that needed to.”
Albright doesn’t believe a solution will come quickly, but he has confidence in elected city officials’ willingness to put in the work to see the fiscal emergency resolved.
“It’s definitely going to be a process where we have to roll up our sleeves,” Albright said. “But I think if you have the ability to take action, you have the responsibility to take action. We just have to sit down and get it done.”
A representative from the governor’s office was not available to comment.
Mayor Bill Collins had previously indicated he’d been asked to provide a list of candidates for the governor, but DeWine ultimately did not request candidates from Collins. Instead, Albright believes he was nominated by others in the community.
Collins said Albright will be a good addition to the commission.
“He’s very active in the community, very pro-Marion,” Collins said. “I think he’s a good choice.”
Albright will be one of seven members on the commission. Kevin Hall was appointed a few weeks before by Collins.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Governor DeWine appoints Ben Albright to fiscal commission
Reporting by Abby Bammerlin, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Abby Bammerlin, Marion Star | USA TODAY Network
