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Education
Masters Degrees University of Findlay Business Administration and Organizational Leadership, Undergraduate Degree Cleveland State University Business
Experience
25+ years in engineering and construction related businesses primarily.
Volunteer/Community Service
Cleveland Engineering Society; Construction Industry Institute; CSU Engineering Advisory Council; CLE Professional 2030 Club; Block Grant Council; Ohio Oil and Gas Commissioner
The Trustees are responsible for legislation and administrative management of functions and affairs, including: fire, police, parks, zoning, and roads departments. But Chester trustees have a unique position. As the gateway to Geauga County, they lead and help shape the vision of the county as well as the township. We need strong leaders who can keep Chester semi-rural and extremely safe, leaders who do not have plans for this township to become an extension of Cuyahoga County. I have served in many community roles, am a business owner, and have a young family. This township’s future is our family’s future. I am committed to the long-haul vision for a successful Chester township. We must fight to keep local control of our township.
A township, in many ways like a business, faces many challenges and opportunities in its ongoing operations. There are threats that will be faced - which today are not even on our radar. The township must stay nimble and look for practical solutions. Our largest fiscal challenge will always be adequately funding and efficiently operating effective safety, road, and other township services, while dealing with any changes handed to us via the State's budget or legislative body. Likewise, we must be proactive in seeking grants and ways to supplement our income without raising township taxes. As our community population ages, we need to understand our seniors' wants and needs. It is important for seniors to feel they can age-in-place.
I look forward to the Land Use Plan Survey and taking real direction based on the inputs to the survey from the community. For example, the survey conducted in 2020 strongly favored In-Law Suites and I expect the new survey to also, and I would like to ensure that these are added to our Zoning Resolution during my term. I also would like the township to take a more active role in trying to handle the blight that has crept into our township center, our commercial district, with core examples being - the Buck Stop and Burger King properties. I would like our township government to live by the value of being results driven on these (and all) matters.
During the term, I will work with the team to get trustee meetings live streamed and available to watch on replay, and to have additional details included in agendas. I also fully encourage active participation by residents in our community to the level any of us are able. My wife and I have a young family and are very active in the community with youth sports and programs, where we currently do not have visible township trustee presence, so I will continue to talk to families and hear concerns and share township news. I do not have a strong presence on social media, so I encourage anyone with questions or concerns to call or text me on my personal cell phone. I am happy to visit with small groups at any time, please reach out.
Experience
Medical Administration
Volunteer/Community Service
Fundraising for After Prom, Cheer Leading Coach, Ski Patrol
The responsibility of a Township Trustee is to govern by overseeing commonly provided services to the residents of the township including, but not limited to Police and Fire, Emergency Services, Road Maintenance, Solid Waste Disposal and Zoning. I am a lifetime resident of the township and have participated in community activity, raised two children and worked in a office for 35 years. With my office administration experience, I dealt with employee relations, daily job details, customer relations, budgeting time and resources and solving day to day issues; which has prepared me to fill the role as a Township Trustee.
Managing the budget with increasing costs while being well aware that funding resources come totally from inside millage and levies. Making Sure the budget is sound, keeping in mind the daily activities, Township employees and the future direction of the township.
Maintenance of the Township properties and buildings; some of which are decades old and require constant maintenance. This creates a need for reserve accounts to provide for not only these buildings and properties , but also the Township roads, police, Fire and Emergency services. Just as important, we must look to the future development of Chester Township and the affect it will have on the services mentioned.
Support open meetings, meet with the residents and welcoming them to be engaged in meetings with public comments, input and opinions. I would continue to support the GATEWAY news letter, currently being provided to the community quarterly.
Education
Studied Engineering Cleveland Engineering School, studied Business at John Carroll and Cleveland State; though I didn’t graduate business school
Experience
Manufacturing business owner since 1979; Chester Twp Trustee 2013-17; Geauga Co Park Commissioner 2011-13; serving on Geauga Co Board of Mental health (7th year); Geauga Metropolitan Housing Commissioner (7 years)
Volunteer/Community Service
US Army Honorable Discharge 1971; Chester Trustee; Geauga Co Park Commissioner; serving on Geauga Co. Board of Mental Health, Metropolitan Housing Authority, GOP Central Committee
A township trustee is responsible for ensuring that tax dollars paid by citizens are used in accordance with their wishes and will provide maximum value to them. I served as trustee in the past and am currently Board Member on the Geauga Mental Health Board and the Metropolitan Housing Authority. I've served as Treasurer on both boards for several years and have a clear understanding of how budgets are formulated and submitted. I’ve also been a member of the Geauga County GOP Central Committee for many years. I have a proven track record of working with people to get the job done in a cost-effective manner on all boards. My experience has allowed me to possess knowledge of budgets, the workings of a township and the laws that apply.
I don’t believe we hold people accountable in allocating township funds. As a business owner, I know how to manage costs and stay within budgets. If you don’t have the funds in budget, you can’t keep going back to the taxpayer for more; you can’t spend what you don’t have. You need to be creative and accountable when using taxpayer’s money. There are outsourcing and other technological resources available to utilize and reduce costs for the taxpayers.
Budgets are a simple concept: you have a fixed dollar amount that must be allocated and utilized. Budgets are not supposed to deceive people. Each year we are told that we are running a deficit, but result in a surplus. I would make sure that our budget is accurate and not inflated.
I hope to bring responsible leadership and accountability by making sound decisions in a reasonable time frame. I hope to dispose of township-owned equipment and property that isn’t in use. This can potentially reallocate resources for the community.
I want to make sure that we have adequate funding to take care of our fire, police, and road departments to ensure the public safety of our township residents. I also hope to look into the upkeep of public properties in Chester and work with their owners to enhance the beauty of our township. If awarded the honor, I look forward to facing any potential challenges brought forward by the township residents and/or my fellow trustees.
For starters, I would make every meeting accessible via Zoom for all to see and participate in if desired. I plan to institute a policy that will put the meeting notes on the township website in a timely fashion. I want to encourage youth participation in their local government and achieve collaborative efforts. I would also initiate a panel of citizens with financial backgrounds to review the budget annually and conduct a report to show residents how their funds are being utilized. I would hope that there are enough members of the community that are interested in this approach and willing to volunteer some time on this issue. This would of course need to be accomplished by all trustees’ authorization.
Education
BSBA, Ohio State University – Major in Accountancy MBA, John Carroll University, MTax- Akron University
Experience
Current Trustee Chester Township and Prior Chester Township Fiscal Officer
Volunteer/Community Service
Lifetime Member Chesterland Historical Society, Member and Prior Board Member Tax Executive Institute, Current member Eagles 2436; Foodbank of Cleveland
A Township Trustee, as elected by the residents, serves the residents as part of the Township governing board and overseas the services and operations of the Township. Leadership, communication and fiscal skills developed through my career as a Tax Leader for major Corporations, as well as the experience gain through my current service to Chester Township make me a great candidate for the role.
The biggest fiscal challenge facing Chester Township is to generate stable, long-term revenue to fund all essential capital improvements needed while maintaining required Township services. The Township has a history that lacks in the maintenance of capital assets leading to a neglect of all Township buildings. By securing Federal and State funding for capital projects supplemented by current revenue streams upgrades to the facilities can be completed without a bond issue.
Redevelopment, without expansion, of the uses allowed in the current commercial district. Nearly all the Township commercial buildings have vacancies. Through a change of uses in the commercial area, the commercial district can be revitalized, this can boost economic activity and improve the quality of life for a community. In addition, a change of use will encourage the development of outdated properties and an improvement of infrastructure and attract new businesses.
A comprehensive approach that prioritizes accessibility, transparency, and two-way communication is required to keep residents informed. An informed resident will be engaged and provided valuable feedback. Updates and issues must be communicated through multiple channels ensuring that information reaches all residents, accommodating different schedules, abilities, and access to technology. Currently, communication is achieved through the Township website, Departments social media, the Township Newsletter the new Township electronic sign and the Chesterland Newspaper. An increased offering to consider will be virtual meetings allowing residents who cannot attend in-person.
