Marietta At-Large City Councilwoman Cassidi Shoaf, pictured, served her last day as a council member on July 13. The Washington County Republican Party Central Committee members from Marietta precincts have between five and 45 days from the date Shoaf’s seat went vacant to choose her replacement. (File Photo)

Marietta At-Large Councilwoman Cassidi Shoaf has officially left Marietta City Council.

According to Clerk of Council Michele Newbanks, Shoaf turned in her resignation letter over the weekend of July 6. According to the letter, her last day was July 13.

“Since 2018, I have had the honor of serving the people of Marietta as a City Councilwoman in one of the At-Large positions,” the letter said. “I am now moving out of state and can no longer hold this position.”

Previously Shoaf told The Times she is leaving her council position because she is moving to Ritchie County, W.Va., with her three children for personal reasons.

Shoaf started her first term in January 2018 and just started a new term in January 2024. She is leaving less than halfway through her third term as a council member.

The last council meeting Shoaf participated in was a special council meeting on July 11 during which council adopted the 2025 tax budget.

All council members were in attendance at the meeting, and during the miscellaneous business portion of the meeting City Council President Susan Vessels presented Shoaf with a card and told her she would be receiving a crystal paper weight.

Each of the council members said a few words to Shoaf on her departure.

“This is truly public service,” Vessels said when describing Shoaf’s work on council. “We’re all very grateful to you and the time that you’ve spent helping to make this a great city.”

Ward 1 Councilman Michael Scales said it was a pleasure working with Shoaf.

Ward 2 Councilman Bret Allphin told Shoaf it had been fun working with her.

“I have great admiration for your courage,” he said.

Ward 3 Councilman Bill Gosset asked God to bless Shoaf’s future endeavors and said he admired her “insight, your tenacity and lack of fear in almost everything.”

Ward 4 Councilwoman Erin O’Neill said she hasn’t worked with Shoaf long but she has watched her work “from afar and you’re an inspiration to me.” O’Neill said she would miss Shoaf and wished her luck.

At-Large Councilman Harley Noland also said he had only worked with Shoaf a short period of time.

“You did thorough research and were a real asset to council,” he said and then he thanked her.

At-Large Councilman Ben Rutherford thanked Shoaf also, saying she exercised due diligence as a council member.

“And what everybody else said, plus two,” he said to Shoaf.

In reply to the comments, Shoaf said she has been on council a long time and most of it was a good time.

“I have grown a lot since my time on council,” she said.

Shoaf said she really appreciates the other council members and said she believes in everything that is ahead for Marietta, though it may take some “not fun” experiences to get there.

“We’ve been through way worse than this and believe me we have the ability for (Marietta to continue) to be a gem in Southeast Ohio and all of the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Shoaf said about the city’s current financial troubles. “I think it is a wonderful place to live … I don’t think all of us fully appreciate what we have here.”

Shoaf thanked everyone for their words to her.

In her resignation letter, Shoaf encouraged her fellow council members to “keep fighting the good fight” and said “with strong, courageous leadership” she believes Marietta will have “a prosperous future.”

Shoaf previously told The Times her replacement will be appointed by the Washington County Republican Central Committee in the same type of process by which O’Neill was appointed to council.

“We’ll have an election,” Washington County Republican Party Central Committee Chairman James Vuksic said.

According to Vuksic, the members of the Central Committee that represent Marietta wards will vote for Shoaf’s replacement. Vusic said he did not have the exact number of Marietta central committee members because some of the positions aren’t filled.

He said anyone interested in being a candidate for this election can submit something to him or Washington County Republican Party Chair Joe Derkin. Candidates go through a vetting process and one person so far has expressed interest in being a candidate, Jon Grimm.

“Anybody else who has an interest, get in touch,” Vuksic said.

“We’re just looking for the best candidate,” Vuksic said about what type of candidates the party is looking for.

According to Vuksic, there is no date set yet by which the party will pick Shoaf’s replacement.

Washington County Board of Elections Director Mandi Amos said that Shoaf’s seats must be filled within five to 45 days after it became vacant. She said she thinks the vacancy date would be considered the day after Shoaf’s last day as a council member.