Steve Rippeth named to fill New Philadelphia council vacancy

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
·2 min read
Steve Rippeth
Steve Rippeth

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ A longtime educator has been named to fill a vacancy on New Philadelphia City Council.

Steve Rippeth was selected last week by the New Philadelphia members of the Republican Central Committee to replace Jim Seldenright, who resigned as Ward 4 councilman on Jan. 1.

Opening on council:Jim Seldenright resigns from New Philadelphia council

"I'm very honored and humbled that the committee saw fit to think that I was someone who had the capabilities to fill that position," Rippeth said. "Hopefully I'll be able to continue the good work that Councilor Seldenright had started before he had to step down."

Rippeth previously served as a New Philadelphia council member at large in the 1990s and spent six years on the New Philadelphia Planning Commission.

"I've always had desire to serve the community," he said. "When I saw that Councilman Seldenright was stepping aside and I live in the ward, I thought maybe it's time to get back out and serve again and see if some of the experiences I've been able to build here in New Philadelphia over the last 30 years could be put to use to help lead the city. I think we're doing a lot of good things in the city. I just want to be a part of that."

Rippeth is currently assistant director of adult education at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia. He has held that position since 2020. Before that, he was assistant principal at New Philadelphia High School for three years, beginning in 2017. He began his educational career as a teacher at the high school in 2010, teaching algebra, geometry and principles of engineering.

He operated Schoenbrunn Pest Control Co. from 1995 to 2021.

Rippeth has an associate degree from Kent State University at Tuscarawas, a bachelor of arts degree in management from Malone University in Canton, a teaching certificate from Franciscan University in Steubenville and a master's in education leadership from Concordia University in Chicago.

He will serve out the remainder of Seldenright's term, which expires in 2025.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Steve Rippeth named to New Philadelphia City Council