Stow City Council Meeting: New Council Leadership, Student Champion Honored, Committee Assignments Teed Up

STOW, Ohio – Stow City Council opened the new year with its organizational meeting Friday night, electing its 2026 leadership team, pausing to recognize a local student’s state championship in speech and debate, and setting the stage for upcoming committee assignments. Council selected Kyle Herman as president of council, John Baranek as vice president, and Cyle Feldman as president pro tempore. The organizational meeting followed a separate swearing-in ceremony held earlier in the evening for council members and the law director. New Council Leadership Selected As part of the annual organizational process, council voted to fill its internal leadership roles for the 2026 term. Herman was elected president of council, with Baranek elected vice president and Feldman elected president pro tem. One council member, Kelly Coffey , explained her "no" votes as related to a preference for shared leadership representation across parties. Herman responded by stating he views council as a nonpartisan body and emphasized his commitment to working together regardless of party affiliation to improve the community's quality of life. Stow Student Recognized for State Championship Council paused the business of the meeting to recognize Andrew Branch for his 2025 state championship in congressional debate. Branch, who was presented with a commemorative sign, described the intense research and persuasive speaking required for the event, which involves debating legislation on issues a real United States Congress would tackle. Coach Jim Miller noted that Branch is the first student from Stow-Munroe Falls High School to win the state title in this specific category, helping to set a high standard for the school's storied speech and debate program. Committee Assignments Under Review Newly elected president Kyle Herman noted that committee appointments were not yet finalized. He requested that all council members communicate their preferences and interests regarding committee service to him directly so that assignments can be made for the upcoming term.