Fortman new Montezuma mayor

MONTEZUMA - Village council president Steve Fortman was sworn in as mayor on Wednesday after former mayor Randy Garman's untimely death on Sept. 8.

Village fiscal officer Robert Brenneman led a moment of silence for Garman at Wednesday's council meeting, which was attended by Garman's family. He also spoke of Garman's impact on the village.

"He worked effortlessly to improve the village and the lives of those that live in the village. He loved Montezuma through its good and bad times," he said.

Garman had served as mayor and a council member in the village for 40 years, according to his obituary.

Council members voted unanimously to appoint Fortman, who has served on council for 10 years. He will serve as mayor until Garman's term ends on Dec. 31.

The deadline to file as a candidate for the Nov. 5 election has passed. Therefore, council members will appoint a mayor on Jan. 1, and that person will serve a four-year term.

Member Monica Springer then nominated member Andrea Heimkreiter to serve as council president. Springer said she nominated Heimkreiter because she had previously served as fiscal officer and "knows more about this than anybody else on council." Members unanimously approved her appointment.

Brenneman encouraged any interested residents to put their names forward to fill Fortman's open council seat. Those interested should contact Brenneman, the village office or attend the next council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the village office, 69 W. Main St.

Members also discussed constructing a memorial in Garman's honor. Resident Ty Orick praised Garman, saying "to be part of something 40 years is astronomical."

Randy Garman's son, Randy Jr., said he appreciates council members' intentions to honor his father but asked them to delay action for the time being as family members work out things. Council members agreed to do so.

The former mayor's daughter, Heather Kuhn, said her dad "cared so much about this town and this was his everything," adding he would have been honored to be remembered in a memorial.

Kuhn said she thinks council will do right by her dad.
  Orick said he and Garman had talked about several projects that would improve the village and raised the possibility of erecting a new entrance sign to the village and putting up Christmas lights every year to make it a more merry place during the holiday season. Members said they will take these suggestions into consideration.

Members also scheduled trick-or-treat for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 and leaf pickup to run from Oct. 21-Nov. 25.