HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) – After a tumultuous few weeks that included a controversial resolution and multiple apologies, the Hilliard City Council President stepped down Tuesday.

Cynthia Vermillion resigned her post during a special council meeting, but will remain a council member until her term expires in 2027.

“I have made the difficult decision to step down as president of City Council immediately following this meeting to allow the city of Hilliard to move forward,” she said. “I’m concerned these distractions will have a negative impact on the city administration and staff in their day-to-day work to ensure Hilliard continues to be a shining community in central Ohio.”

Some community members said they were disappointed to see her step down.

“There really wasn’t a reason for her to resign,” resident Rima Dabdoub said. “She was elected by her constituents. She had every right to make the votes that she voted for, to vote for the resolution.”

“We’ve always felt like we’re being silenced because it took us weeks and months, actually, of mobilizing, of speaking, of actually displaying the horrific situation of our families to this council for them to actually take action,” resident Mazen Rasoul said. 

In a statement, the Jewish Community Relations Council commended the leadership change.

“The Jewish Community Relations Council commends Hilliard City Council’s decision to change leadership. This step is crucial in ensuring that all community members, without exception, have their voices heard and represented. It is now essential for the city to move forward and heal. This moment presents an opportunity for Hilliard to demonstrate its commitment to fairness, equity, and inclusive governance.”

Jewish Community Relations Council statement

Vermillion was the target of much criticism over the last month after passing a resolution calling for a “mutual end to hostilities in Gaza” during a meeting on April 22, the first night of the Jewish holiday Passover. Council passed the resolution with a 4-2 vote with one abstention.

The resolution called for “an immediate, sustained and mutual end to hostilities in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and the urgent expansion of humanitarian assistance.”

Following council’s vote, the Jewish Community Relations Council criticized Vermillion, saying the religious observance was disregarded and the city sent the message that Jewish voices are “unwelcome in city government.”

“Despite objections from Council Members Peggy Hale and Les Carrier, as well as City Manager Michelle Crandall and her staff, who clearly articulated that such action on the first night of Passover was wholly inappropriate, the decision was championed by City Council President Cynthia Vermillion,” a statement from the Jewish council read.

About a week after the resolution passed, Vermillion issued a public apology, saying she never intended to exclude the Jewish community from participating in the passage of the resolution.

“I am deeply sorry for not understanding the gravity of holding the vote on the first night of Passover,” Vermillion said. “As you may know, the first piece of legislation I helped to enact was to broaden our protection of community members by passing a non-discrimination ordinance. I strive to make everyone welcome in the Hilliard community and in our council chambers.”

Earlier this month, Vermillion again offered a public apology during a city council meeting.

“I’m committed to learning from my mistakes and will approach future topics of greater sensitivity to those of all views,” she said on May 13.

Council vice-president Tina Cottone will serve as president until council elects a new president at the beginning of 2025. Presidential terms are one year. Council will appoint a new vice president, which is expected to happen at the next council meeting, scheduled for June 10.

Hilliard Councilmember Les Carrier said he has served for a while now and this was a sad moment for council.

Carrier objected to passing the resolution on the first night of Passover, and that while stepping down was hard for Vermillion, it was the right decision.

“I would have made it one sentence: We pray for peace in the Middle East,” he said. “That was what I told everyone point blank early on. They chose to copycat what Columbus does, which I don’t really, I don’t really think is the way forward. We’re Hilliard, we’re not Columbus.”