GIRARD — City officials spent most of their meeting Monday saying goodbye and thanks to one safety service director who leaves Friday while welcoming a new one who begins on Monday.

Mayor Mark Zuppo said at Monday’s council meeting he has named Glenn Holmes as the new safety service director, replacing Mark Ragozine, who has accepted the position of township administrator for Boardman.

Zuppo said he has been blessed as mayor for more than two years with the safety service directors he has had.

He first served with Sal Ponzio, then Ragozine and next will be Holmes.

“I am batting three for three,” he said.

Zuppo said he looks forward to working with Holmes, who was a classmate of his at Girard High School.

“To have the background that he has as a former mayor of McDonald, a former state representative and currently serving as a member of the parole board for the state of Ohio and to now come back to help a former classmate and the community that he loves. He always talked about wanting to give back to the community,” Zuppo said.

Zuppo said Boardman is very fortunate to get Ragozine.

Holmes said he looks forward to coming back to serve his hometown.

He said his mother Slyvia served for many years with the Girard City School District.

“How could it get any better than being able to serve my hometown. I plan to be service-oriented and work with the mayor and council. Once I begin, I will have a learning curve as I orient myself to serving the community,” Holmes said.

He said he has “big shoes to fill” by replacing Ragozine.

Holmes attended Tod Woods School and Girard High School and went to Mount Union College. He and his family lived for a time in McDonald before returning to Girard.

“I look forward to serving the residents of Girard and the town that I grew up in. What greater joy can I get in my later years than to come back and serve here in Girard. I appreciate this opportunity,” Holmes said.

Ragozine said he appreciated the opportunity to serve the past 15 months in the community where he also grew up.

“This has been a great experience. I wish I could have stayed longer, but opportunities came calling. I feel I have done everything to the best of my ability to serve the residents of Girard,” Ragozine said.

He said he is sure Holmes will do a great job as safety service director.

“The city will be in good hands with Glenn,” Ragozine said.

Zuppo said Ragozine will work through Friday before leaving for Boardman.

Councilman John Moliterno, D-2nd Ward, said Boardman has an asset with Ragozine.

He also said Girard is fortunate to be getting a new safety service director with much experience and knowledge of the community.

Fire Chief James Petruzzi, who worked for the McDonald Fire Department, said he has worked with Holmes when he served as the village mayor.