COAL GROVE – Glenn Markins might be stepping down from his position as village mayor this December, but his new position as Dawson-Bryant school board member should keep him in the public’s eye.

Monday, September 06, 1999

COAL GROVE – Glenn Markins might be stepping down from his position as village mayor this December, but his new position as Dawson-Bryant school board member should keep him in the public’s eye.

Board member Bill Boyd resigned from the position in early August, and board members appointed Markins Aug. 24 to fill the position.

Markins will continue to serve as village mayor for the next few months, but will not run for re-election this November.

Instead, Markins said he will focus more of his attention on completing the two-year term left to him by his predecessor.

And don’t expect Markins to sit quietly on the board, said Eric Holmes, middle school vice-principal and Coal Grove council member.

"I think he will speak his mind," Holmes said. "He was a good mayor. He really worked hard and he did a lot for the village. If he thinks something is right, he’ll be for it, and if he thinks something is wrong, he’ll stand up for what he believes in."

Markins has always been involved in public service, because he feels everyone should do their part to make the world and, in this case, the village, a better place, he said.

He became a council member more than 20 years ago, and has served the village as mayor for the last nine years.

Now, Markins is ready for a change.

"I decided not to run for mayor again, because I really don’t have the time to devote to it," Markins said. "And I feel that I will still be able to help the village and the school system by serving on the board of education."

Boyd, a relatively new addition to the Dawson-Bryant School Board – he was elected less than two years ago – has been hired as the Jobs for Ohio Graduates consultant at the high school, said Dr. James Payne, Dawson-Bryant superintendent.

A school board member cannot be an employee of the district, said Debbie Drummond, board president.

"Mr. Boyd had to resign because of his position with the school," Mrs. Drummond said. "We will miss him. Mr. Boyd was very nice. This would have been his second year. Mr. Boyd was very pleasant to work with."

The decision to appoint Markins to fill the position was unanimous, however, she said.

"I think Mr. Markins will be pretty good on the board," Mrs. Drummond said. "He is very dedicated to the community, and worked in public office He’s not running this year for mayor but he still wanted to be involved. He was very excited about the idea of being on the school board. I’m sure he’ll have some good input for us."

Whether or not Markins will run for election when his appointed school board term expires remains unclear.

"It wouldn’t be fair to me to say yes or no," he said. "If I can help them and we can accomplish some things, then I’d say yes. If not, then I’d say no."