(Posted Feb. 1, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The city of London has a new auditor, but at the cost of a council member.
On Jan. 29, the Madison County Republican Central Committee appointed Lora A. Long as city auditor. Long had just started her second term as the Ward 3 representative on city council. Following the appointment, she submitted her resignation from council.
Long replaces Nick Szabo, who resigned Dec. 17 after an issue arose that was referred to the Ohio Auditor’s Office. The exact nature of the issue has not been stated on public record.
Szabo was appointed to the auditor’s position two years ago when former auditor Katie Hensel resigned to take a job out of town. Long also had been a candidate for that appointment. In November 2017, Szabo won election to the remaining two years of the unexpired term. Long will serve out those two years, with the term ending on Dec. 31, 2019.
Long was the only person to express interest in filling the vacancy this time around. It was up to the London representatives of the Republican Central Committee to vote on the appointment. Nick Adkins, Josh Clifton and Pat Closser voted “yes.” Bill Long, Lora’s husband, abstained.
Long comes to the auditor position with 30 years of work experience in the accounting and payroll field, including three years as assistant city auditor (2008 to 2010).
“I’m familiar with the office, and they have a good staff there, so the transition shouldn’t be hard,” she said.
Long said she plans to resign from her job in human resources, payroll, and accounts payable at the Laurels of Hilliard. The city auditor position is a full-time job.
Long’s work experience also includes seven years as a senior payroll coordinator for the Big Lots corporate office and 21 years as an accounts payable and payroll specialist for Wendy’s International.
As for why she pursued the auditor appointment, Long said, “Anything to help the city. That’s why I was on council. I’m here for the city.”
Long said the auditor’s office is due for upgraded systems and she has the experience to implement them.
“I’ve been through that multiple times (in my career). I can help them through it,” she said.
Long’s appointment became effective immediately, as did her resignation from council. That means the Republican Central Committee must appoint someone to the now vacant Ward 3 council seat.
Interested candidates must live in London’s Ward 3 and submit a letter of interest and a resume to Nick Adkins, central committee chairman, at nickadkinslaw@gmail.com.
Adkins said the committee likely will make the appointment on March 6 at the same time they fill the Ward 1 city council seat vacated by Trint Hatt on Jan. 21. Anyone interested in the Ward 1 seat can submit a letter of interest and a resume to Adkins. The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Madison County Engineer’s Office, 825 U.S. Rte. 42, London.
