Fascinating feature about New Franklin: The availability of the Portage Lakes and the open spaces we have.
About safety forces: Our safety forces are the best. We work together with other governments and we’re investigating options of sharing large equipment.
Your private life verses public: We respect public record laws, but there are times when I wish I could talk about an issue with council without it becoming rumor. To explore or resolve issues, it takes time and facts.
Why did you want to become a mayor? We’re in the service industry. I enjoy talking to people and understanding what it is they need. I love this job.
Family life: This job takes time. When I retire, I can finish my wife’s to-do list.
Money and budget: It’s difficult for small cities to balance a budget. We’re a new city – only five years old. We work on a cash basis. We had a $4 million carryover. Only 3 percent of the cities in the U.S. are in the black and we’re one of them.
Facing 2010: We have a great future in this town. We need to talk about sanitary sewers and water. We don’t want to grow too fast, but there are businesses that need water and sewer.
State Route 21 improvements: It’s the entrance to Norton, Barberton and New Franklin. All three of our communities will benefit from the state improvements to 21.
Biggest selling point of New Franklin: We have some great businesses here, but they need water and sewer before they can grow.
