VOTE411 Voter Guide

Ravenna is the county seat of Portage County. We should be the crown jewel of the county. We need to maintain a solid and clean community that is inviting to visitors and guests. We need to develop Ravenna through cooperative efforts between city officials and our development partners like the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Ravenna and our economic development director to attract new business to Ravenna.

To attract more business to Ravenna which in turn will help support the businesses already established in Ravenna. The city has created a Joint Economic Development District with Rootstown is looking to restore the JEDD with Ravenna Township to jointly increase business in the areas surrounding Ravenna.

If budget cuts would become necessary in the future, we need to work together to decide the areas budget adjustments would be necessary and have the least amount of impact on the city. Most important is to be transparent to the taxpayer to explain the reasons for any budget changes and solutions how to remedy such cuts.

My overall vision for Ravenna is a connected, and thriving community that honors its heritage, empowers its people, and allows all people to feel they have a future here. We need enhanced communication and trust between our local government, residents, schools, and businesses. Connectivity making our city as accessible as possible whether you are walking, taking PARTA, or riding your bike. We build resiliently by planning smartly around our budget challenges, flooding issues, and infrastructure needs. We thrive by attracting and retaining small businesses and good-paying jobs while maintaining strong safety nets for vulnerable populations: seniors, low-income families, and renters. We thrive by investing in parks and other quality of life improvements, and downtown revitalization efforts. We honor our heritage by celebrating our history, preserving landmarks, community traditions, and local pride. People engaged, leaders transparent, and listening to residents.

Major challenges facing Ravenna are aging infrastructure and public buildings such as the police and fire stations, and city hall. Flooding and storm-related problems which are causing damage to residents and business alike. Public safety concerns such as inmates released in the middle of the night and dropped off in our downtown. Degradation of public spaces. Preying on our marginalized populations and community disinvestment by saturating our neighborhoods with bodegas, massage parlors, and car lots. We need to aggressively and expeditiously pursue a future land-use map that retains and grows what contributes to Ravenna's success. Eliminating spaces for nefarious businesses to infiltrate. We have a master plan but we do not have what matters which is the zoning. Ravenna has a great bond rating and we need to capitalize on that, pursue grants, and devise a long-term economic plan. Currently there is no finance meeting and that needs to change.

Handling budget cuts in Ravenna will require a careful, transparent, and community-driven approach. First and foremost I believe in prioritizing essential service that directly impact resident's health, safety, and quality of life-like police, fire, EMS, and basic infrastructure. It's not just about what gets cut but HOW we go about making those decisions; the community needs to have a voice in what matters most. I would work to identify areas of inefficiency, encourage public-private partnerships, grant opportunities, and sharing services with neighboring communities. We need to have goal of minimizing the impact of budget reductions. Long-term we need to build a more resilient economy by supporting small businesses, encouraging smart development, and making Ravenna attractive for investment. Budget cuts are always challenging-but with a transparent process, strategic thinking, and community input, we can get through them while protecting what matters most.

My vision is to see our city grow while preserving the values that make it a special place to live. I want to foster a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community where families thrive, businesses succeed, and residents are proud to call home. To achieve this, I will focus on three areas: Strong Foundations – support public safety, reliable infrastructure, and responsible budgeting. Smart Growth – encourage development that creates opportunity while protecting green space, landmarks, and neighborhood character. Community Engagement – listen, communicate, and work together so every voice is heard. Implementation requires action: partnering with leaders to secure funding, championing transparency, pursuing innovative solutions for housing, safety, and economic growth, and making decisions with the city’s long-term health in mind. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient community.

Every community faces challenges, but I see ours as opportunities to grow stronger together. Key priorities include: Public Safety – ensuring residents feel safe by supporting police, fire, prevention programs, and community partnerships. Infrastructure & Development – investing in roads, utilities, & public spaces while encouraging thoughtful growth that preserves our city’s character. Economic Growth – making our city business-friendly, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, revitalizing downtown, and building a strong tax base. Community Engagement – promoting transparency, open communication, and opportunities for residents to have a voice. My approach is to work collaboratively with residents, businesses, and partners on practical, long-term solutions, seek grants and outside funding, budget responsibly, & ensure decisions are made with the community. This combination of public service & professional experience has prepared me to make balanced, informed decisions.

I believe every tax dollar must be spent responsibly, with priority on essential services that impact residents—public safety, infrastructure, and community well-being. If budget cuts are necessary, my approach is: Prioritize Core Services – police, fire, emergency response, and infrastructure must stay funded to keep our community safe and functioning. Evaluate Efficiency – reduce waste, streamline processes, and share resources before cutting vital services. Seek Outside Funding – pursue grants, (our department heads currently write and receive grants) partnerships, and state/federal resources to limit taxpayer impact. Engage the Community – be transparent and give residents a voice in setting priorities. Plan Ahead – build reserves in stronger times so the city is prepared for challenges without sacrificing long-term growth. My goal is to continue to make thoughtful, balanced decisions that protect residents today while ensuring financial stability for the future.