CUYAHOGA FALLS: A second vote by Cuyahoga Falls’ Ward 3 Republican Central Committee on Thursday night ended with a different result than its previous meeting.
Victor L. Pallotta, 64, a lifelong Cuyahoga Falls resident and president of the Marian Lake Home Owners Association, was selected to replace Ken Barnhart as the Ward 3 representative. Barnhart resigned May 15.
Pallotta beat Arden Barnhart, Ken Barnhart’s wife, by a vote of four to two.
When the Republicans met the last time, Arden Barnhart won the most votes to replace her husband on the council.
On May 21, three of the five precinct committee members who attended that meeting chose Arden Barnhart. Pallotta received the other two votes.
The first ballot was thrown out because the five Ward 3 precinct committee members present voted by secret ballot. Questions were raised after the vote over whether the secret ballot was contrary to Ohio open-meeting laws.
Rather than fend off a challenge by Summit County Democrats, Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff chose to hold a new meeting and vote again.
On Thursday, six of the seven Ward 3 precinct committee members attended the dinner meeting at Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls.
Pallotta, who is retired from Yellow Freight, grew up in Ward 3. He graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School, attended Kent State University and served in the Navy.
He has been married 42 years. He and his wife have five children.
Pallotta will have to run in November if he wants to remain on the council.
“Cuyahoga Falls is in my heart,” Pallotta said. “I wouldn’t underestimate or disregard my commitment to this community or its people.”
Barnhart, who resigned last month, said he wants to spend more time at his Ocracoke Island property on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
He served 16 years on the council.