Mark Tyler serves in final meeting as Lake County commissioner

Chad Felton, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Jan. 1—In a year of whirling transition for the Lake County commissioners, the board's Dec. 29 meeting served as the last for Mark Tyler.

Appointed to the seat June 16 by the Lake County Republican Party Central Committee, per Ohio Revised Code, Tyler was sworn in June 23 as the 80th commissioner in the 180-year history of the board, succeeding Ron Young who retired May 4.

Tyler's appointment ended a 43-day vacancy in a year of shuffling seats, with Commissioner John Plecnik winning the four-year term after running for Young's seat, which Commissioner Rich Regovich now occupies.

Plecnik officially returned to the board Jan. 1.

Commissioner John Hamercheck, and Regovich, lauded their colleague with a commendation in honor of his distinguished service at the close of the recent meeting.

"In his tenure, Mark has taken the time to learn as much as possible about Lake County government and has toured multiple county departments, facilities and organizations to get a deeper understanding of them and provide leadership for their continued success," Hamercheck said. "He took part in the Lake County Fair as the 'Voice of the Fair' and was instrumental in bringing the Kirtland Old Town Sewer Project to fruition.

"Mark attended many groundbreaking ceremonies, including the new Lake County Sheriff's Training Facility, and participated in the very successful Hostile Action Based Exercise for the Energy Harbor Perry Nuclear Power Plant.

"On behalf of the county and its grateful staff, we wish Mark a healthy, peaceful and fulfilling future shared in the company of his wife, Sandy, and the many friends he has amassed," Hamercheck continued. "He leaves a legacy on the county and the culmination of an exemplary record of service while bestowing credit to others for their diligence."

Tyler — who served as mayor of Kirtland from 2007 to 2015 and as councilperson-at-large from 2001 to 2007— said his tenure, though short, was quite an experience.

"I've enjoyed my time here, from Day One I've felt very welcome," the retired Lubrizol Corp. engineer added, expressing gratitude. "I have had fun along the way, a few laughs, but we got a lot of work done, a lot of good, hard work, and we did it the right way.

"It's been a great opportunity to re-enter the life of public service and I've enjoyed it. It means the world to me and I've been very fortunate to hold this position," Tyler said. "I knew what it was coming in, but I'm going to miss it."