GREENFIELD — A Greenfield councilman who also serves as the Hancock County historian won’t return to city hall next year.
Joe Skvarenina, an incumbent at-large councilman, lost in a three-way race among incumbents for two at-large spots on the city council. He received 471 votes, nearly 230 fewer votes than the candidate who nabbed the second most votes in the race, Mitch Pendlum; Dan Riley received the most votes with 804.
Skvarenina, 71, served on the council for one term.
“The mayor will have a capable team to run the city in the future," Skvarenina told the Daily Reporter minutes after results were finalized. "And I wish them luck, and I’m sure they’ll do an excellent job.”
Skvarenina, who has written several books about local history and regularly makes presentations as the county historian, said the proudest accomplishment in his term on council was helping secure funding for Lizabuth Ann’s Kitchen, a new facility under construction behind the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum. He was the chairman of the building’s fundraising committee. The city council also contributed funding for the project.
Voters elected Skvarenina to the city council in 2015. A 31-year resident of Greenfield, Skvarenina previously served on the Hancock County Council and the Center Township Advisory Committee.
In his three-plus years on the city council, Skvarenina helped rein in city spending, focused on community revitalization projects and spoke in favor of the city’s continuing growth and development.
Skvarenina will finish out his term on Dec. 31.
