The Issues that are facing Cuyahoga County:

A Need for Open and Transparent Government:  Other than the seven reasons (as prescribed by the Ohio Revised Code) that allow a governmental body to meet in Executive Session, the new Cuyahoga County Council, as well as all other Boards, Commissions, or bodies established by the Council, must meet in a manner that is open and transparent.  Not only do all meetings need to be public, but documents must be even more accessible to the general public, contracts must be awarded to the lowest and MOST RESPONSIBLE bidder.  I believe that the County’s website should be a virtual Administration Building, where Cuyahoga County Residents are not only able to find the information they need, but they are also to keep track of the work of their public officials and public employees.

A Need to Maintain Fiscal Discipline:  As a municipal legislator, I have worked to balance 13 consecutive budgets, as well as help my community earn and maintain a AA- bond rating by both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, something that is nearly unheard of for inner-ring suburbs.  Cuyahoga County’s budget is larger than over 15% of the states, and pursuant to the State Constitution, it must be balanced.  I understand balanced budgets, and I also understand that as responsible public officials, we must be prepared to do even more with even less.  I will use my skills related to responsible budgeting to ensure that 1.) the County’s financial house is clean, and 2.) that the constituents I serve receive the services and they expect and deserve.

A Need to Improve Our Infrastructure:  As a highway engineer by profession, I know what it takes to improve our transportation and utility systems.  Cuyahoga County’s roads and bridges are crumbling, and we need the perspective of an engineer on Cuyahoga County Council.  I would be the only engineer on Council, and I would use my expertise as a civil engineer along with my institutional knowledge of the County Engineer’s Office and the roads and bridges of this County to ensure that our highways and by-ways are able to handle the load they bear daily.

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