Perry Village Council is back at full strength.
Ashley Hacking was sworn in on March 14 as council’s newest member.
Hacking took over a seat that had been vacant since longtime Councilman Phil Cassella retired Dec. 31.
Village Solicitor James O’Leary administered the oath of office to Hacking at the start of the March 14 council meeting.
Council, at its Feb. 8 meeting, selected Hacking to serve the final two years of Cassella’s unexpired term.
The five other members of council voted unanimously in favor of Hacking’s appointment.
She possesses 12 years of experience as a local elected official. She was elected to three consecutive four-year terms on Perry School Board, starting in 2009.
During her time on the school board, Hacking served as the panel’s vice president and president, and was a member of committees that focused on areas such as safety, finances and technology.
Village Mayor James Gessic said Hacking was one of four residents to apply for the vacant council seat. Council and the mayor decided to interview Hacking and two of the other prospects.
Gessic said her substantial experience on the school board helped set her apart as the top applicant for the council position.
Hacking said her love for the Perry community was the main factor in her decision to seek the appointment to council.
“I believe that my experience will allow me to join council and help address village concerns quickly and efficiently,” she said.
Hacking’s predecessor, Cassella was appointed to fill a Village Council vacancy in 2008, and elected to his first four-year term on the panel in 2009. Village voters then re-elected Cassella to council in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
He also became well-known in the community as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and longtime athletic director at Perry High School.
If Hacking wishes to remain on council for more than the next two years, she will need to run in the November 2025 election for a four-year term.
