COLUMBUS, Ohio — Hilliard City Council president Cynthia Vermillion announced that she is stepping down from her role.
The announcement was made during a special board meeting Tuesday evening. Vermillion says she will be stepping down as president immediately following the meeting to “allow the city to move Hilliard forward.”
She will remain as a council member.
"In the aftermath of the peace resolution that Hilliard City Council passed on April 22, there have been continued distractions during council meetings and within the community," Vermillion said during the meeting. "I am concerned these distractions will have a negative impact on the city administration and staff in their day-to-day work to ensure Hilliard continues to be a shining community in central Ohio."
The resolution called for a cease-fire in Gaza. The passing of the resolution happened the same week as Passover.
Vermillion released a public statement after its passage, apologizing to the members of the Jewish faith who are living in Hilliard.
The statement read in part, "I realize that Council’s vote on the first night of Passover was a matter of inappropriate timing and disregard for our Jewish neighbors. My actions have hurt people who celebrate a faith that I respect and admire."
Three other council members also voted in favor of the resolution and apologized.
"I am also sorry for my management of the three Council meetings leading up to the April 22 vote. During these meetings, I allowed certain members of this community to interrupt and jeer speakers from the Jewish community who were expressing views that did not align with those of the Palestinian supporters in Council Chambers," the statement from April 30 read. "All voices within our community should be heard and have a chance to express their views in an atmosphere of mutual respect."
Tina Cottone, who was serving as vice president of council, will be taking over as president effective immediately, according to Hilliard's Community Relations Director David Ball. Cottone will remain president until the council's 2025 organizational Meeting in January 2025.
Vermillion first ran for Hilliard City Council in 2019.