MIDDLETOWN — David Schiavone was unanimously elected by his fellow council members Wednesday to lead this Butler County city for the next year.

        Mr. Schiavone, 45, the former vice mayor who was first elected to Middletown's City Council in 1994, said he hopes to move the council toward improving the city and the quality of life.

Schiavone

        “In this upcoming year, you can be sure that this council will be focusing on quality of life issues ... and the economy of this city ... and the revitalization of downtown,” Mr. Schiavone said.

        Council voted 6-0, with Councilman Earl Smith out sick, to elect Mr. Schiavone mayor, replacing Robert “Sonny” Hill.

        By the same unanimous vote, Councilman Bob Wells was elected vice mayor.

        Mr. Schiavone said one of his priorities will be enhancing council's communications with residents, especially concerning the city's efforts at revitalization.

        An example, he said, was that while road problems are abundant, the city deserves credit for spending about $30 million during the last five years on road repair.

        The mayor had previously headed the city's governing body in 1996, when it was a city commission and he was chairman.

        A Middletown High School and Miami University graduate, Mr. Schiavone is manager of the supervision unit of the Butler County Adult Probation Department and is vice president of Schiavone Foods.

A tale of two pilots
Cold snap brings more house fires
Unhappy new year: Time to pay more
Boyfriend faces murder charge
Activist objects to G.I. Joe
DNA tests approved in slaying case
Nominee pool wider, deeper
Norwood jobs merged by new council
Stadium surface going bald
Tomain domain: minting lawyers
Tristate A.M. Report
U.S. Navy waits for no man - or baby
Volunteers in multiple roles at city school
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Public money
Complaint says arrest invasive
Middletown council names Schiavone mayor
Middletown hospital removes major obstacle to Turtlecreek Twp. move
Transit authority at crossroads
City also loses top official
Competence for trial hearing waits
Dayton's police chief quits post
Ft. Campbell gets orders
High schools honor alumni in military
Hospital praised as employer