Two new councilmembers sworn in for Jefferson Village Council

JEFFERSON – Jefferson Mayor Steve Sekanina swore in two new Jefferson Village Council members during the council meeting on Monday, Feb. 2.
Council voted to accept the Council of the Whole’s recommendation to appoint Nick Belden to the empty Council seat position for the Village of Jefferson through Dec. 31, 2027.
Council also voted to accept the Council of the Whole’s recommendation to appoint Lon Damon to the empty Council seat position for the Village through Dec. 31, 2029.
Both are returning faces to Jefferson Village Council – although Belden was only seated for a month.
For some background, Sekanina’s seat first became vacant after Sekanina, who had been the President Pro Tempore of Council, became mayor following the resignation of then-Mayor Jim Chiacchiero in late 2025.
The first appointment of Belden on Dec. 1, 2025, was only to fill out the remainder of Sekanina’s term, which ended Dec. 31, 2025.
Sekanina was up for re-election on Nov. 4, with four people running for four seats, so he was guaranteed a new term back on council.
His next term was a separate term and began in January, so a person needed appointed to fill it.
Then, a second seat became vacant after the resignation of Councilman Pasquale “Pat” Martuccio, who resigned effective Jan. 5 because of family responsibilities that require his presence outside of the United States.
Martuccio had been elected to council in November 2023, taking his seat in January 2024.
Belden works for the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy/Inmate Services. He’s been with the Sheriff’s Office for about 20 years.
He had previously served in an elected position in Trumbull County, as a trustee for West Farmington Township for a four-year term, serving as president of the board for the last year/year and a half.
Belden has lived in Jefferson since 2010.
Damon had previously served on Jefferson Village Council.
He was first appointed to serve as a Village Council member in 2006 and since 2007 was elected to the position every four years by the residents of Jefferson, until falling short in the November 2023 election.
He is a Sports Marketing Specialist for the Lincoln Electric Company in Cleveland and a graduate of Jefferson Area High School.
As for why he sought the seat, Damon said he’s been active talking to people in the Village, and some fellow residents asked if he were interested in the seat.
He’s been following Village Council and thought, “There’s an opening. Let’s give it a go and do the best for the community.”
“I think my views on taking everything in and not being one sided and doing what’s best for the Village is the way I roll,” Damon said.
He’s looking forward to getting back in the saddle, which includes sitting on the Finance Committee.
“And working toward keeping this community fiscally responsible,” Damon said.
He believes Village leaders have done a good job with this and looks forward to being further involved.
“It’s been a great community,” Damon said.