ROSSFORD – Bill Verbosky was a high school wrestler who has gone on to wrestle with the tough issues
facing his hometown.
The Rossford mayor announced Monday night that after serving the city for 24 of the last 30 years, the
last eight as mayor, he is retiring from public service when his term expires on Dec. 5.
While he admitted he wasn’t a very good wrestler in high school, his former wrestling coach and high
school teacher Larry Oberdorf, now president of council, said he proved to be a fine public official.
Verbosky "is truly a servant of the community," Oberdorf said.
Verbosky started his public service at age 26 in 1981 when he was elected to council, he later served as
city treasurer. After a break he ran for mayor in 2003. He felt he could put his experience, including
decades as a banker, to help the city, which was then facing the aftermath of the failed
arena-amphitheater project.
The city negotiated a resolution with Perrysburg Township, which was then suing the city over $5 million
loaned to the project. Now with all court cases settled, Verbosky said "our relationship with the
township is strong again."
The city has faced a major budget shortfall even before the national recession hit.
The city cut the size of its workforce, passed a new 3.5-mill levy, increased sewer rates and imposed a
short-term tax to cover garbage collection.
"I believe these measures taken have resulted in a stronger city financially," Verbosky said.

The city has reduced its debt and seen its credit rating increase to AA- despite the recession. He
praised finance director Karen Freeman and the council’s finance committee for leading the effort.
"I feel extremely fortunate that in the last eight years," Verbosky said in a prepared
statement, "I have been able to work with a hard working, loyal city administrator Ed Ciecka,
dedicated department heads, cohesive councils, and staff throughout the city striving to make Rossford a
better place to work and live."
Verbosky said he would continue "working to do what is best for the city" in the remaining five
months of his term.
Oberdorf noted that when he got involved in city politics the roles between he and Verbosky were
reversed. Verbosky became his teacher, making sure he always understand the issues coming before council
and was kept abreast of new developments.
Michael Scott said that Verbosky has lived up his "one guiding principle … You want to leave the
city a little better each and every day."
Also retiring from the city will be long-time superintendent of public works Dave Jones. The city,
however, intends to hire Jones back on Sept. 1.
Jones will retire at the end of the month. The required public hearing needed to rehire him will be held
Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.
Council approved Jones’ retirement, and gave a first reading to setting the hearing.
Verbosky said that Jones didn’t intend to stop work, but felt he needed to retire to "protect"
his benefits because of changes in the state retirement system.
Rehiring him would benefit the city, Verbosky said, and avoid having "a leadership vacuum."