“I needed someone with a lot of experience, particularly in IT,” Rettich said, noting technological advances in Ohio courts. “I thought it was time to make a change.”
Preston supervises multimedia labs at Sinclair Community College. He also worked in multimedia sales and supervised the Kettering Police Department’s photographic and video evidence lab.
A Miamisburg native, Preston ended eight years on city council in 2011. His wife Deborah Preston is a Miami Twp. trustee.
He said he grew to know Rettich in the past eight months through his wife’s political activities and spoke at Rettich’s swearing-in ceremony Dec. 30.
Coffey, wife of a former Miami Twp. trustee, ran the court under former Judge Robert Messham, who retired at the end of 2011 after 23 years.
Rettich said politics played no part in Preston getting the job, which is to pay about $69,000 a year.
“I hire just on merit,” Rettich said.
“I don’t want the court embroiled in any kind of politics.”
Acting Clerk of Courts Laura Coleman, an assistant for Messham, said she was appointed to replace Coffey on May 3.
Rettich said he expected Preston to be his fifth, and final, hire in the transition.
Preston said he wanted to finish projects at Sinclair.
“The opportunity presented itself out of the blue. I want to make sure Miamisburg Municipal Court is one of the best around,” he said.
The court has jurisdiction in Miamisburg, Germantown, West Carrollton, and Miami and German townships.
About the Author
