North Canton City Council Ushers in Mark Cerreta as Councilman

Mark Cerreta, North Canton’s newest council member, said he wants to continue maintaining the standard of living in the city he’s resided in all his life.

He points to the strong schools, community and safety in North Canton as reasons why he applied for the council’s vacant seat, , and reasons that have kept him in this city for so long.

“Not all communities have that,” he said at Monday night’s North Canton City Council meeting — his first as a member after being appointed that night.

Council members took a voice vote, with all members voting for Cerreta but Councilman Pat DeOrio, who voted for former council member Jim Repace.

Cerreta, who works for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, said he was impressed with the high caliber of council candidates, which totaled 14 and included former city council members and former police chief Dave Lindower.

“It isn’t easy to throw your name in there and be in the paper and be in front of everyone,” Cerreta said, adding city council members and city officials should consider placing those who applied on committees at some point.

“Anytime someone steps up, you want to bring them in and see what they’ve got.”

Cerreta — husband to Lauri and father to Sam, Anna and Joe — is a lifelong North Canton resident and 1978 graduate of . He said he’s had a hand in many aspects of the city, from sports to heading two successful school levies.

He said he’s stepping into the role of councilman with his eye on economic development and keeping up with what North Canton already excels at.

“There are a lot of buildings that are ready to be taken over,” he said. “And I’d love to see us maintain our safety and services.”

The council seat opened when Revoldt left for a job with the Ohio Department of Development in March. Council had interviewed several candidates in executive sessions before and after council meetings the past two weeks before its announcement Monday night.

Council also: 

• Discussed the purchase of new laptops and the concern with the engineer's and finance director's laptops having access to the city's mainframe and sensitive employee information. DeOrio said the city may have to take precautions to protect employees from identity theft because the city has their Social Security numbers in the system.
• Heard from Law Director Hans Nilges, who said the city started enforcing tax ordinances and will start enforcing zoning and other ordinances through the Mayor's Court. 
• Heard from Mayor David Held, who thanked Finance Director Karen Alger and V. Margaret Loretto, former finance director, for helping implement the credit-card payment for the city. Residents now can their pay city bills and for pool passes with credit cards.