Amherst GOP to choose city treasurer June 20 to serve out Richard Ramsey's term

Amherst members of the Lorain County Republican Central Committee will meet June 20 to appoint a new city treasurer to serve through the end of the year following the resignation of Richard Ramsey. The public meeting will be at at 7 p.m. at Hot Dog Heaven, 493 Cleveland Ave. in Amherst, to appoint a successor to fill the remainder of Ramsey's third term, which ends Dec. 31. Ramsey submitted his letter of resignation May 30, and it is effective June 15. He resigned because he is running for Oberlin Municipal Court judge in November, and in an email said he is "committed to devoting as much time to my judicial election campaign as possible." Ramsey faces Farah Emeka, a Democrat, and Brett Murner, an independent, in the race. A licensed attorney, Ramsey has been Amherst treasurer since 2014. He previously ran for Lorain County Common Pleas judge in 2024 but was defeated in the general election by Donna Freeman. "It has been an honor to be chosen three times by the residents of Amherst to serve as city treasurer," Ramsey said in his letter of resignation to Amherst city officials. "I am proud of the exemplary fiscal management of my staff in being entrusted with the sound investment of the city funds that have kept our balance in the black for my entire tenure ... I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition during my remaining time in office." The city treasurer's office deposits, reports and invests city funds and administers the city Income Tax Department, according to the city website. James P. Lawrence, a Republican, and Kelly Miller, a Democrat, have filed to run for Amherst city treasurer in the November election, according to the Lorain County Board of Elections. Voters will choose one of them, for a term of four years. Anyone interested in being appointed Amherst city treasurer to finish out Ramsey's term through Dec. 31 can contact Kirsten Hill at (440) 201-2306. Applicants must be registered voters in Amherst. The members of the Lorain County Republican Central Committee who live in Amherst are Anthony Melendez, Bradley Lacko, Daniel Gross, Brenda Phillips, Will Boose, James Lawrence, Timothy Sebastian Jr. and Jennifer Wasilk. All were elected in the March 2024 primary. A majority of these members present at the June 20 meeting will appoint the new city treasurer in accordance with state law, the GOP said. "We would like to thank Richard Ramsey for his dedicated service as Amherst city treasurer during the past 11 years and wish him every success in his pursuit of Oberlin Municipal Court judge this fall," the Lorain County Republican Party said in a news release. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.