Make room at the top: Five mostly new mayors take office in Stark County on Jan. 1

At the precise moment the Times Square ball reaches its destination to signal 2024, four local men and one woman will inherit a metaphorical ball of their own.

You can't see, touch or feel it.

But it will land squarely in the court, on the laps and become the personas of William Sherer II, Jamie Slutz, Andrew Grove, Mary Beth Yoder and Justin Cline. Each begins a first four-year term as mayor of a Stark County city or village.

As the employment website Indeed states, "A successful mayor possesses a broad range of skills that encompass both interpersonal and professional abilities."

The required skills, the site notes, are everything from decision-making and empathy to leadership.

In many ways, being mayor is more than a job. Even among elected offices, it's unique. A mayor is the de facto symbol and mouthpiece of an entire community.

The five mayors mostly plan to celebrate the dawn of 2024 in the usual way ― with friends, families or at parties at places like The Ponds Venue near Beach City for Yoder. After all, it's one of few jobs in which the first day is a holiday.

The real work begins Tuesday.

New leaders in Stark County's three biggest cities

"Getting up to speed," said Sherer, who noted Day 1 work will include lining up rosters to appoint to a slew of boards and commissions in Canton's government.

Sherer's long-term priorities include adding safety forces and improving neighborhoods one block at time.

In Massillon, Slutz admitted he may very well be sound asleep by 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1. But he said he plans to meet and talk with staff the next day.

"I just want everyone to be prepared," he said.

Grove got a head start in Alliance. He was appointed in August to complete the last five months of retiring Mayor Alan Andreani's term in office.

"Those five months ... I went through with (Andreani's) plans to see his projects through," Grove said.

After winning election in November, Grove embarks on his own. He already has a list of duties and plans, much of it focused on economic development.

"We have 32,000 cars a day east and west on State Street," Grove boasted, adding it's the busiest stretch of road in Stark County outside of Belden Village.

IML Containers is building a plant in an industrial park. A Meijer store is on the way. Six more businesses, Grove said, have their eyes on the Carnation City, including a company he said could bring as many as 400 new jobs.

"We've got a lot to sell here in Alliance," he said.

Villages need mayors, too

In terms of population, Canton (70,426), Massillon (32,231) and Alliance (21,414) are the largest cities in the county — roughly 1 in 3 residents of the county lives in one of them.

In smaller locales, such as the villages of Navarre (1,825) and Beach City (920), the mayor is usually someone who lives nearby. Even if you don't know the mayor personally, chances are you know someone who knows the mayor.

And Cline, who takes over for longtime Mayor Bob Benson in Navarre, actually grew up in Beach City.

Cline said he'll get busy after he's sworn in on Tuesday. He admitted he's nervous and excited about the opportunity as top administrator at Village Hall.

"Just the amount of history in that building is incredible ... daunting," Cline said.

Mary Beth Yoder, in Beach City, has lived in the village for most of her 40 years. She said the date of the first council meeting of the year ― on Wednesday — will be a launching pad.

One of the first jobs is to appoint a replacement to her vacated seat on the council.

After that, it's on to long-term goals.

Yoder said she's encouraged by success of new events in the village in 2023, including a car show. She sees a Beach City where neighbors become closer and where local businesses provide stomping grounds for residents.

"We need to get back to the way it was ... bring back the nostaligia," she said.

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Quintet of Stark County mayors ready to ring in 2024