Page 5 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Wayne’s newest city council members

By Sarah Shurge “I’m not going to be able to make
On Tuesday, November 8th, 2022, big changes on my own. The council
the Wayne City Council elected three is a group of people that work to-
new members: Eric Cleereman, gether and make tough decisions on
Mathew Mulholland, and returning the way. It's going to be a process,
member, Deb Wass. but being able to make some positive
"I am looking forward to working improvements would be great,” said
together with the new council so we Mulholland.
can continue to make Wayne better Wass is a long-standing resident
for all of the residents,” said Wayne of Wayne with a passion and love for
Mayor John Rhaesa. the city.
Let’s get to know the new mem- In June 2021, Wass became an
bers of the council that will be appointed council member through
repreenting the city of Wayne. an interview process. This time
Cleereman has lived in the City of Councilman Councilman Councilwoman around, she became a member
Wayne for nine years and he has an Eric Cleereman Mathew Mulholland Deborah Wass through the election process.
8 year old son. Cleereman worked Information months, he did a tour in Germany. “It was a really great experience to
“My favorite thing about Wayne is Technology (IT) jobs for 25 years His second tour was for Desert go through the election process,”
that it has a real small-town feel to it, doing programming and network ad- Storm. After he returned and gradu- said Wass. “Being elected was really
but at the same time it's close to a lot ministration. Three years ago, he de- ated from college, he signed up for cool. I got so much support from
of the big cities,” said Cleereman. cided to switch careers to challenge active-duty tours around the United people in the community and I am
Cleereman has been a member of himself and started doing furniture States and re-enlisted. honored to represent.”
the Parks and Trails Committee sales and school bus driving. Mulholland served a total of 10 Being a returning council mem-
since it’s been founded and involved In 2020, Cleereman had a stroke years in the military. ber, Wass stated she is excited to hit
with the Commission on Aging for and has been recovering since. Un- Mulholland has a love for the city the ground running with knowledge
two years. fortunately, he has not been able to and was on the city council in 2007. and experience.
“I love this city and want to help drive buses during his recovery. “Things were very different in “I want to keep helping the way I
the council advance it for myself, my “I hoped to get elected but when it 2007. The city has changed a lot in have been. We all work together to
family, my neighbors, just the whole actually happened, honestly, I was a 15 years,” said Mulholland. “You find different avenues and bring
city,” said Cleereman. little bit surprised,”said Cleereman. can’t complain if you don't want to them together and try to get things
Cleereman has been involved “It felt good.” get involved. I’m the type that I’d done,” said Wass. “I want everyone to
with politics since he moved to Mathew Mulholland was born rather get involved than sit back. So, know that I take the job seriously. It's
Wayne and he even ran for city coun- and raised in the City of Wayne. this is a great opportunity for me to a big responsibility that I'm pleased
cil four years ago. His grandparents moved to get involved and give back to the the citizens were willing to let me
“I’ve been to council meetings. I Wayne in 1919 and opened a cloth- community.” have.” If you’re interested in attend-
thought I could be more helpful and ing store. Born at Annapolis Hospital Mulholland is involved with the ing a city council meeting, they are
more involved in the city on the coun- (now Beaumont Hospital, Wayne), City of Wayne in many ways. held the first and third Tuesday of
cil than being in the audience,” said Mulholland was the youngest of 10 “Besides the City of Wayne, one of every month at 7 p.m. at the Wayne
Cleereman. kids. my passions and a place very near City Hall.
This time around, Cleereman He attended St. Mary’s Parish, and dear to my heart is St. Mary If you are unable to attend in per-
was elected. Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Parish,” said Mulholland. son, the council meetings are also
“I’d rather represent the people, and graduated from Wayne Memo- He is involved in the St. Mary’s fi- live-streamed on the City of Wayne
than my own personal views,” said rial High School. nance committee, does fundraising YouTube page.
Cleereman. “I plan on voting how I After graduating high school, Mul- campaigns, and so much more. He For more information about the
feel the people would like to vote, holland joined the United States also is very involved in Friends of the city council or any of the members,
rather than my personal opinion.” Army to pay for college. For 19 Rouge (FOTR). you can visit cityofwayne.com.

The Wayne Dispatch · January 2023 · 5