FEBRUARY 2025
VENICE CITY E-NEWS City Council Members
Mayor Nick Pachota
Joan Farrell
Rick Howard
Vice Mayor Jim Boldt
Rachel Frank
Kevin Engelke
Upcoming Council Meeting Dates: Feb. 11 Feb. 25 Ron Smith Contact City Council members by emailing citycouncil@venicefl.gov
Andy Leisenring sworn in as Police Chief With his wife, daughters, and mother by his side, new Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring was formally sworn in during the Jan. 14 City Council meeting by City Clerk Kelly Michaels. Leisenring has been with VPD since August 2007. He is the City’s 20th police chief, succeeding Charlie Thorpe, who retired Jan. 3. Leisenring placed his hand on a bible held by his mother Bonnie, who had traveled to Venice from Michigan for the ceremony. His wife Melissa and daughters Madison and Olivia then pinned on his badge. “If my mom was holding the bible when I’m taking the oath, it’s pretty legit,” he said to laughter.
Venice Police Chief Andy Leisenring is formally sworn in during the Jan. 14 City Council meeting by City Clerk Kelly Michaels, with an assist from Mayor Nick Pachota.
Leisenring thanked his wife and daughters for their understanding of his role, saying they are “very forgiving when I have to take off during an event, or miss an event, or even just step aside to take a phone call. They always find it in their hearts to forgive me.”
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