Ray Acra was sworn-in as a member of Harrison City Council Oct. 1. He was appointed by the Hamilton County Republican Party to fill a vacancy left by Councilperson Lexis Dole, who is moving outside the City.
“I love this city,” Acra said. “Lexis Dole is a remarkable person. Like her brother Ethan and all in her family who have served this community, they are hard to replace. I plan on doing what I can to help our current Mayor and next Mayor Ryan Grubbs succeed so the entire City is a better place.”
Acra will complete Dole’s term, which will end in 2025. Acra served two years on City Council from a previous appointment. He has also served on the City’s Charter Review committee and Civil Service Commission.
Acra has worked for the Hamilton County Auditor and for the Hamilton County Recorder. He has also worked as a realtor and owned a business for seven years, The Whitewater River Trading Post, in The District. He has served the Republican party for 45 years with over two decades as Ward Chairman for the City of Harrison and Harrison Township.
Acra is a lifelong Harrison resident and attended St. John the Baptist Elementary School, William Henry Harrison High School and Hondros College. He and his wife Debbie Acra have three sons, Sam, Mark and Eric and daughter-in-law Melisa. He enjoys painting and studying local history.
“Council is the legislative body of government,” Acra said. “They are in charge of the City budget, ordinances and resolutions. Council is more than that in a smaller city. Much of the quality-of-life issues are things City Council members are in the best position to address. Things like avenues of recreation, city events, senior programs, parades, fireworks and city parks, museums and music venues are an important part of giving a city its identity.”
Harrison City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Harrison Community Center (300 George Street). These meetings are televised as they happen on Spectrum Channel 4 and altafiber Channel 834 and are available on demand. Visit this page to learn more.
Pictured: Councilperson Ray Acra was sworn in by State of Ohio Representative Cindy Abrams,