Ashtabula finance director gives her farewell

ASHTABULA – City of Ashtabula Finance Director Marie Yvrose Augustin bid farewell at the May 5 city council meeting.
Augustin, who was hired in 2023, expressed her gratitude to the city and its residents for giving her the opportunity to serve as the finance director.
“You know you will be missed,” council President John Roskovics told her. He said council wishes her well.
“We enjoyed having you here,” he continued. “You certainly made things understandable for some of us when we weren’t sure, and so we appreciate that. And thank you for everything.”
Council member RoLesia Holman also was complimentary of Augustin.
Holman told Augustin that because of who she is, as an individual and an effective leader with many years of formal education and broad experiences in various-sized municipalities, she was able to achieve many accomplishments during her time with the city.
Holman noted that the city’s audits have been exceptional because of Augustin’s outstanding practices.
“You had ability to stay focused and do your job extraordinarily and stay above the fray,” she continued. “You’ve been both professional, competent. You have a lot of integrity. You approached your job with objectivity, which is rare, and you had a lot of character, so thank you for being who you are. It’s going to be a loss to the city, definitely, but I wish you peace and blessings in all your future endeavors.”
“I really appreciate it, thank you,” Augustin said.
Augustin herself thanked the finance office staff for their hard work: Assistant Finance Director, Carolyn Sheldon; Income Tax Specialist, Janine Hamper; Accounting Assistant, Todd Shimko; and Accounting Assistant, Kelly Cartner.
“I could have never done it without them,” she commented.
She also extended her thanks to City Manager Jim Timonere, who she said has been a good support, as well as city Solicitor Cecilia Cooper and assistant solicitor Catherine R. Colgan.
Augustin also gave a special thanks to former city finance directors, Dana Pinkert and Traci Welch.
Finally, Augustin said that she appreciated council’s trust and support council in offering her the job.
As part of her goodbye, Augustin reviewed the highlights of her two years with the finance department.
She handed out a paper in which she outlined the highlights.

Delinquent tax accounts