Summit County, Ohio General Election November 4, 2014 2014 Free
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SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 2014 2014 FREE VOTERS Published by the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area Education Fund in collaboration with theGUIDE League of Women Voters Hudson and the League of Women Voters Tallmadge A Message from the Presidents Dear Summit County Voter, We hope you find our 2014 Voters Guide helpful and informative. The League of Women Voters offers this free guide with information about our local candidates as a service to Summit County voters. This year’s election occurs amidst a haze of redistricting, campaign spending, rumor, and the usual mudslinging. We have tried to provide you a tool to see through all of that to what the candidates say about themselves in a non-partisan format. The League is neither Democrat nor Republican. No party boss or hidden agenda dictates our policy and we welcome the input of all voices in the political process. We do have a platform of positions and access to the ballot is a cornerstone of the League of Women Voters. If you are not registered to vote, we will register you. If you don’t know where to vote, we will help you find out. If you want to meet your candidates, we offer forums and debates so you can ask your own questions. And if you need information, we want to provide clear, unbiased access to our candidates and the issues we face in Summit County. This year’s Voters Guide is the product of a collaboration between the Akron, Hudson and Tallmadge Leagues of Women Voters. If you would INSIDE: How The Candidates like to be a part of this work—either on the Voters Guide for next year or as a League member—we Answered Our Questions! welcome your participation. The League is not just for women and we welcome all voters (and would-be voters) as members and friends. Non-partisan voting information for residents of: Thank you for exercising one of the fundamental principles of democracy—to make your voice heard SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO and make your vote count. This Voters Guide is published by the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area Education Fund, in collaboration with the Hudson and Jill Cabe, President League of Women Voters of the Akron Area Tallmadge Leagues, to provide non-partisan information about political candidates and issues, and to help citizens make informed choices at the Kathleen Cybulski, President polls. The group is solely responsible for its content. The candidates are given the opportunity to respond to questions posed by the League of League of Women Voters of Hudson Women Voters, and to state their positions in their own words. The League, in publishing this material, neither endorses nor rejects the views of Tammy Shomo, President any candidate or political party, and does not and cannot assume responsibility for the contents of any candidate’s reply. League of Women Voters of Tallmadge s 6OTERS 'UIDE ,EAGUE OF 7OMEN 6OTERS OF THE !KRON !REA(UDSON4ALLMADGE LWVAA EDUCATION FUND 2014 VOTERS GUIDE SUMMIT COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 4, 2014 SUMMIT COUNTY COUNCIL-AT-LARGE VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 3 – TERM COMMENCES 1-1-2015 John A. Donofrio - Democrat Occupation: RETIRED - SUMMIT COUNTY FISCAL OFFICER Age: 66 Address: 67 Sand Run Rd, Akron, OH 44313 Website: not available Education: Ellet High School 1967 Training and Experience: over 34 years of county government public service; 23 years as Summit County Treasurer, 9 years as Summit County’s first Fiscal Office, Complete knowledge of operation Question 1: Given the current polarization at all levels of government, what can you do at the local level to promote civil discussions and consensus building? With over 30 years of experience as an elected official I would continue to bring people together to solve problems and create programs to assist citizens across our county. Too many politicians, Democrats and Republicans, spend more time criticizing each other rather than assisting the citizens who elected them. Question 2: Please identify the top 3 priorities/issues facing Summit County Council. We need financial stewardship, especially for our safety forces. We need to address the recent flooding issues that has affected Green, Stow, Bath Township and the county as a whole. We need collaboration: regionalism and consolidation in an effort to continue to save as much money as possible. Question 3: How should Summit County Council respond to the decrease in housing values? Because of the 2008 recession, housing markets and values plummeted nationwide. As the economy is improving, job growth is increasing and predatory lending is ending, the market will correct itself. Values increase when actual arms-length sales prices increase, which will ultimately drive up values for sales and tax purposes. Gary Hagen - Republican CANDIDATE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONS Address: 30 Harcourt Dr, Akron, OH 44313 Sandra Kurt - Democrat Occupation: INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER Age: 53 Address: 140 Mayfield Ave, Akron, OH 44313 Website: http://kurtforcouncil.com Education: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University Training and Experience: Served as Akron Ward 8 Councilperson Jan 2010 - March 2011; Summit County Council: At-Large Representative: March 2011 - Present; Vice- President: Jan 2014 - Present; Chair of Public Works: March 2011 - Present; Vice-Chair of Finance: March 2011 - Present Question 1: Given the current polarization at all levels of government, what can you do at the local level to promote civil discussions and consensus building? It’s actually easier at the local level to build consensus across party lines. Constituents of every political stripe want action on issues like stormwater management and road maintenance. I have worked with Township Trustees who belong to the “opposing” party, placing progress above partisanship to get the job done. Question 2: Please identify the top 3 priorities/issues facing Summit County Council. 1) Economic development resulting in living-wage job opportunities and increased revenue; 2) Infrastructure maintenance and development including roads, bridges, water systems, sewer systems, and stormwater management; 3) Increasing collaboration among local governments resulting in improved effectiveness. Question 3: How should Summit County Council respond to the decrease in housing values? We must empower the Summit County Land Reutilization Corporation. The SCLRC works with cities to acquire vacant and abandoned properties and make them productive. The land may be sold to adjacent property owners to expand their properties. Or the land may remediate stormwater impact with reservoirs or rain gardens. Bill Roemer - Republican Occupation: RETIRED DIRECTOR OF SALES, AMERITECH (AT&T); SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, REVERE LOCAL SCHOOLS Age: 57 Address: 3616 Southern Rd, Richfield, OH 44286 Website: roemerforcouncil.com Education: Bachelor of Science - Accounting - Case Western Reserve(CWRU) Summa Cum Laude MBA - Finance - CWRU Certified Public Accountant Training and Experience: My business experience and financial aptitude are very beneficial and allow me to effectively serve the constituents. Question 1: Given the current polarization at all levels of government, what can you do at the local level to promote civil discussions and consensus building? What is most important is serving constituents. The first step is the creation of non gerrymandered districts. I proposed county council districts which kept communities whole and created fair and balanced areas but this was rejected. Additionally, consensus building is created by regularly meeting and communicating effectively across party lines. Question 2: Please identify the top 3 priorities/issues facing Summit County Council. The three most important issues are economic development and job creation, public safety and storm water control. Storm water issues impact constituents across Summit County. Public safety including the appropriate funding of the Summit County jail is imperative. Job creation is paramount and leads to high quality neighborhoods. Question 3: How should Summit County Council respond to the decrease in housing values? County Council has supported the creation of the Summit County Land Bank on which I worked before being elected. Through the Moving Ohio Forward program, numerous blighted residential properties have been removed. Enforcement of building codes and effective use of Block Grant dollars will also lead to higher quality neighborhoods. Ilene Shapiro - Democrat Occupation: CEO, SHAPIRO CONSULTING FIRM Age: not available Address: 295 Wyant Rd, Akron, OH 44313 Website: http://www.electshapiro.com Education: Some College Training and Experience: Entrepreneur, FirstMerit Corporate Senior VP, Summa Director Strategic Alliances, Two term County Council At Large, Council President, Chair Planning & Economic development seven years, Past Chair Charter Review, Leadership America and Akron, Co-founder Women’s Endowment Fund. Training and Experience: Entrepreneur, FirstMerit Corporate Senior VP, Summa Director Strategic Alliances, Two term County Council At Large, Council President, Chair Planning & Economic development seven years, Past Chair Charter Review, Leadership America and Akron, Co-founder Women’s Endowment Fund. Question 1: Given the current polarization at all levels of government, what can you do at the local level to promote civil discussions and consensus building? I can often move our community forward by doing more listening than talking. By prioritizing engagement of community members, building strategic collaborations, and diligent follow-through, I have