Tiffin councilman Ben Gillig resigns

Ben Gillig Friday announced his resignation from Tiffin City Council, effective Tuesday. Gillig, who has served as at-large councilman since 2017, is president pro-tempore and chairs the Finance Committee. "Though I truly never thought I would leave our great city, my wife, Erin, had an opportunity to advance her professional career at her alma mater of Bellefontaine City Schools," Gillig said in a statement provided through city offices. "As a father and husband, the decision became very simple, though certainly not easy. The benefits to having our sons grow up in a community with two full sets of grandparents, scores of aunts and uncles and literally dozens of cousins are too great to pass up. "Serving our community as your friendly neighborhood extra-large, at-large council member has been one of the greatest joys of my life," he said. "It was truly a privilege to serve, particularly because of the very fine people I met along the way. Tiffin is a crown jewel in northwest Ohio and the entire Buckeye State, and history has shown that this community has the iron will to make it so, no matter what obstacles we might face along the way." Gillig's decision to resign, effective Tuesday, will make him eligible to vote during a special meeting Monday, during which council members plan to vote on a new mayor. Acting Mayor Bridget Boyle said, "Ben has been a great friend and colleague on City Council and I've very much enjoyed working with him and appreciate the support he's provided as president pro-tem. While I'm very happy for this opportunity for his family, it will be sad to no longer have him on City Council." Gillig was re-elected in the November 2021 General Election, and his seat will be filled by a nomination from the Seneca County Democratic Central Committee. A fifth-generation resident of Tiffin, Gillig graduated from Columbian High School and the College of Wooster. He also participated in additional coursework at the University of Findlay. He has worked as a middle school teacher, primarily focusing on world history, American history and literacy skills.