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MARIETTA -- Second Ward Councilwoman Katie McGlynn resigned from Marietta City Council at the end of July, citing family obligations and the difficulty of balancing them with her council responsibilities.
Davie Hendrickson was appointed Aug. 6 to fill the vacancy and was sworn in during that evening's council meeting, according to Washington County Democratic Party Chair Willa O'Neill.
McGlynn said she had considered resigning for some time before reaching her decision.
"I've been thinking about it for a while," McGlynn said. "Basically, it's a family decision."
McGlynn said members of her large family now live in different places and that her council schedule made it difficult to spend time with them.
"I thought I could work around council, but it seems like, no, I just really couldn't," she said.
McGlynn described the resignation as a personal decision that she reached after careful consideration. Before stepping down, she said she wanted to ensure someone she trusted would be willing to take over the Second Ward seat.
"I thought long and hard about it, and I found someone who I felt would be a good council person, someone I knew and trusted," McGlynn said.
The local Democratic Party officials had a role in selecting Hendrickson to fill the vacancy.
She said Hendrickson's familiarity with Marietta and his previous work with the city were important factors in supporting his appointment.
"Davie knows the city," McGlynn said. "He's worked with the city, so he knows what's needed, and that was also a big factor in my decision that he was willing to step up." Hendrickson worked in the city's engineering department for 11 years. He said he is pleased to return to city government as a council member.
"I'm excited to be on council and to be back working for the city," Hendrickson said.
Hendrickson will serve as chairman of council's Lands, Buildings and Parks Committee. He said he looks forward to continuing work started by McGlynn and the city's development and public works departments to improve and maintain city-owned land and parks.
His priorities include keeping those properties in good repair and making them welcoming places for residents and visitors, he said.
Hendrickson will also serve on council's Streets Committee, where he said his experience in the engineering department will be useful. He said he looks forward to working with Streets Committee Chairman Bill Gossett on road maintenance and concerns brought to council and the city administration.
"That's right in my wheelhouse," Hendrickson said. "I'm looking forward to working with the chair, Bill Gossett, and helping continue forward progress on maintenance of the streets and addressing different concerns that come up to the administration."
Hendrickson assumed the Second Ward position after taking the oath of office Aug. 6.