Judge Repp's seat declared vacant

With a unanimous vote, the Tiffin City Council approved an ordinance declaring a vacancy in the office of judge of the Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court, during a regular meeting Monday. The vacancy was determined following a six consecutive month absence of Judge Mark Repp, who was suspended in November 2021 by the Ohio Supreme Court. Attorney Dean Henry spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. Henry said he has been practicing law in the community for over 30 years, with 29 practiced in the municipal court. Currently, there are five judges covering the municipal court. According to Henry, all five are "good judges," but they are "not ours." "It is time the citizens get to choose who their judge is going to be," Henry said. "We deserve a judge from this community." Councilman Steve Lepard said "it is time to take action and put this to rest." Councilman Dan Perry had previously voted not to suspend the three-reading rule to approve the ordinance. During the previous council meeting, Perry had said he wanted to "fully understand what he was voting on."