LOUDONVILLE — Ashley Buirley is no stranger to helping her community.
Buirley was sworn in as Loudonville’s newest village council member Monday. She took her seat for the first time during Monday night’s council meeting.
She sees her new role as another way to serve Loudonville.
Buirley was appointed to fill a vacant seat of former council member Shawn Wade and officially took the oath of office. As tradition, she went around the room shaking hands with current council members.
Buirley will serve as chair of the parks and buildings committee and as a member of the safety and utilities committees.
Although Buirley has no previous experience in elected office, she said she is looking forward to learning the role and finding ways to serve the community.
Buirley was referred for the council position before deciding to apply.
She said she is active in the community and saw the position as another opportunity to contribute.
“I would like to have a hand in continuing things moving in Loudonville,” Buirley said, “doing things that matter to the community.”
Buirley is a licensed funeral director and works full time at Snyder Funeral Home. She grew up in Iowa, where she graduated from high school and attended the University of Iowa. She later attended mortuary college in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Outside of work, Buirley coaches seventh- and eighth-grade girls soccer for the Loudonville Junior High club team.
Her experience in the community, she said, made joining council feel like a natural next step.
“I get to the community a lot of different ways, and this is just another way that I can help address everything,” Buirley said.
As she begins her first term, Buirley said she does not yet have a specific issue or project she wants to tackle.
Instead, she plans to listen and learn before deciding where she can make the biggest impact.
“It’s very new, so I have a lot of learning to do,” Buirley said. “I want to hear what people need and just be able to listen.”
Buirley said she expects to become more comfortable with the responsibilities of council as she gains experience.
“I know I’ll get more comfortable the longer I go along,” she said.
As she settles into her new role, Burley said she plans to listen, learn and look for ways to help the community.
“I love the Loudonville community and I want to continue to serve it the best way I can,” Buirley said.
