Lakeside Park city council honored former Mayor David Jansing at its meeting earlier this month.
“I had no clue this was coming,” Jansing said, pointing out people who helped keep the proclamation a surprise. “It’s been fun. It’s really been fun!”
Jansing stepped down as mayor last December after 11 years leading the small Kenton County city. Mayor Paul Markgraf, who was appointed to replace Jansing, declared May 17 as David Jansing Day in Lakeside Park.
The proclamation also listed Jansing’s numerous achievements.
Jansing’s resignation late last year came on the heels of fiery debate in the city over the addition of another sober-living house in the city, which prompted angry residents to confront city leaders.
Before being elected mayor, Jansing was on council for four years.
Jansing was instrumental in the construction of the current city building. He also helped institute the loan program to improve all the streets in Lakeside Park to a 90-percent road rating.
He was chairman of the Kenton County Dispatch Board and is currently a member. He works for the office of Kenton County Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Jansing has served on the Planning and Development Services Council for 15 years, and during that time was elected as council president for five years and vice president for 3 years.
He has served on the Ft. Mitchell fire department for 50 years and has also been the Deputy State Fire Marshall. Jansing was a Kenton County Police Officer for 10 years and is currently a security officer with St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Jansing was presented with the framed proclamation and a clock for his years of service.
He remembered when he first decided to run for council and said he and his two daughters walked the city, campaigning.
“You think it’s a small city, my legs were tired,” he joked. Then he addressed council. “Folks, I’m still a resident. If I can ever do something, let me know. If you have a concern, I’ll listen. My only rule is I want to know who I am talking to. I don’t like anonymous complaints.”
Jansing has been a resident for 64 years. He is married to Paula and has two daughters and four grandchildren.
In other business, Mayor Markgraf announced that City Clerk Katie Hehman is leaving her position, effective Thursday, May 26. She is hoping to spend more time with her mother and family.
“There wasn’t anything we asked you to do that you couldn’t figure out how to do it,” Jansing said to Hehman, remembering the early days of her employment. “You will be missed!”
