Son of former Hamilton mayor becomes city’s vice mayor

Newcomer Michael Ryan didn’t only become Hamilton’s newest council member on Wednesday. He also became the city’s vice mayor because he was the top vote-getter in the November election.

Attending the ceremony were Ryan’s parents, including former Mayor Don Ryan, his aunts and uncles, his fiance and his father-in-law-to-be.

Ryan thanked his family and supporters. He told others on council, “I’m looking forward to working with you to help do what’s best for our community.”

Also sworn in by Hamilton Municipal Judge Daniel Gattermeyer for new four-year terms were Mayor Pat Moeller and council members Tim Naab and Robert Brown. Each swore to obey the constitution and laws of the country and state, as well as the city’s charter and its ordinances.

The three other council seats will be up for election in 2019, for the seats now held by council members Carla Fiehrer, Matt Von Stein and Kathleen Klink.

Moeller, in comments after officials were sworn in, said the city’s team of employees, administrators and council is “eager to do what is good, and is eager to solve problems.”

Moeller said he recently bought a bound set of note pages from a downtown Hamilton business for list-making. A quote on one page of the booklet said, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” City leaders are “inventing a great future for our residents,” Moeller said.

“The veterans on city council gain Michael Ryan, who is a real positive addition,” the mayor said. “We do not lose Rob Wile (who did not seek re-election in November), because he now joins that group of community leaders and volunteers who raise our level of success higher and higher.”

The city also will gain the experience and leadership of candidates who ran unsuccessfully for mayor and council, Moeller added.

“I look forward to working with them, as well,” he said.

Klink congratulated the officials who were sworn in and predicted, “This is going to be a great next few years. Looking forward to it.”

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