Bluffton’s newest council member, Ralph Miller, 126 N. Jackson St., is a relative newcomer as a Bluffton resident, but his work in Bluffton goes back nearly a half century.
 
Miller was appointed to a vacancy on council on Monday. He is an eight-year Bluffton resident, however in 1969 his company, Ralph Miller Construction, built what is today the Chase building on South Main Street. At the time of its construction it was Central Savings Association.
 
“I wanted to help in the community,” he said, for the reason he sought the vacant council seat.  While this is the first municipal office he has held, he has lots of experience on various organization boards.
 
These include being a state director of Sertoma Club. He holds membership in the Lima Sertoma Club and has held nearly every office in the club. He is also a member of the Apollo Career Center advisory council. He has held membership in the West Central Builders Association for 42 years.
 
Prior to retirement, he was in sales with KSI, a kitchen design company. One of his Bluffton customers was Mennonite Memorial Home.
 
He and his wife, Beth, own the building at 121 S. Main St., home of Town and Country Flowers. Beth is owner of Beyond Budgeting, located on Vine Street.
 
Miller takes the seat vacated by Judy Augsburger when she was elected mayor.
 
Dave Steiner most recently held her seat. Although Steiner reapplied for the seat, council selected Miller for the vacancy.