The reorganization of Bexley city government is nearly complete following the death of Mayor John Brennan.

City Council members voted unanimously Monday night to elect Council President Ben Kessler as the city's new mayor. Kessler, the top vote getter in the Nov. 8, 2011 city council election, has been serving as acting mayor since Brennan took a leave of absence Jan. 12 for health reasons. Brennan lost his battle with pancreatic cancer Jan. 30.

Kessler will serve as mayor for two years. According to the city charter, an election will then be held for the final two years of what would have been Brennan's four-year term. At the end of that term the standard four-year election cycle will resume.

Following Kessler's appointment, veteran city councilman Rick Weber was named council president.

Council will now accept applications for Kessler's city council seat and plans to fill that vacancy in March.

For more on this story read the Feb. 9 edition of ThisWeek Bexley.