“It’s kind of an honor to be entrusted by council for six consecutive years, not something that happens often,” Centers said.
Credit: FILE
Credit: FILE
“And so much respect for the right Jim Mears, so it’s a real honor,” he added. “We’ve got a really good thing going as a council. We work well together. When we disagree, we work through it and move forward on what we all believe to be the best direction for the city.”
J.T. Riley was mayor for more than 20 years, ending his tenure around 1950, according to the Franklin Area Historical Society. Riley later organized the Franklin Municipal Court and became judge.
Centers is a three-term councilman who has been mayor since January 2020 after being re-elected to a second four-year term. He previously served as vice mayor for two years.
While Franklin voters don’t specifically cast ballots for mayor, Centers has finished in the top two among ballots cast for city council since first being elected in 2015, according to Warren County Board of Election records.
Credit: FILE
Credit: FILE
He served as Hamilton Twp. administrator from 2018-22 before becoming director of operations for the Conger Construction Group.
Centers and Hall are among four council members who have run unopposed for seats in each of the four-year terms starting in 2015, board of election records show. Paul Ruppert, Jr. and Debbie Fouts were the other two.
Hall has served seven terms on council, having first been elected in 1999, elections records show. He won the most votes for council candidates on the ballot in 2023.
Hall is a teacher in the Middletown City School District.
Franklin has seen several big changes recently, with the city completing its $13 million Main Street streetscape project and buying the former Franklin Boxboard property at Sixth and Riley for future development. The school district is in the midst of constructing new schools, and the city has long-term hopes for major riverfront redevelopment.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
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