MONTGOMERY COUNTY — History was made Sunday in Montgomery County as former Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald was sworn in as the first African American on the county Board of Commissioners.
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News Center 7′s Taylor Robertson attended the event and heard from McDonald and other speakers.
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Commissioner McDonald has big hopes for her new role. She said she plans on being out in the community, talking to people face-to-face about improving the place they live.
Elder Belinda Mitchel spoke at the swearing in, talking about McDonald’s connection to Trotwood.
“I served 18 years in the city. We went through some tough times here in the City of Trotwood, many people said we couldn’t do it and we weren’t going to make it,” McDonald said. “I’m five generations of self-employed people, we never got rich but guess what? We’ve worked.”
Former Ohio Governor Robert Taft wished McDonald success in her new role.
“The people of Montgomery County are very, very fortunate that someone with the ability, the integrity and the energy of Mary McDonald will be serving as their next county commissioner,” Taft said.
McDonald is committed to working together with the people of Montgomery County.
“Together we can build bridges, foster understanding and implement policies that will uplift all people,” McDonald said.
McDonald’s message centered on the idea that we are all better together, and that she wants the community to be able to trust their local officials.
McDonald’s election to the board came after she switched parties and defeated a longtime incumbent.
McDonald was a democrat, serving as Trotwood’s mayor for years. After losing reelection last year, McDonald announced her switch to the republican party.
A protest was filed with the county election board, claiming McDonald didn’t make the switch properly.
The Ohio Secretary of State ruled that McDonald would be on the ballot, where she narrowly beat Commissioner Debbie Lieberman.
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