Taking it to the Streets

Jay Maners

republican

Previous experience: City Council, First Ward since 2009.

What’s the biggest issue facing your position?

Preparing Mount Vernon for the future by creating an environment that encourages job growth and good citizenship.

How would you address this issue?

I will accomplish this by addressing our deteriorating streets and confusing traffic patterns. When elected mayor, I promise to get a working plan together, then pending the approval of ODOT, will move our city forward in stages to make our city transportation routes more productive and user friendly. Additionally, I will be financially responsible with our funds, and direct them toward needs that will better prepare us for the future. I will form a marketing team to help local businesses welcome prospective employees and encourage them to make Mount Vernon their home. I will hold people personally responsible for their actions and not allow employee misconduct to be swept under the rug. This is part of an overall package to restore confidence and encourage job growth.

What strengths would you bring to the position?

I will be a “boots on the ground” mayor who will be out and about in the city, a man who will listen and respond to citizens’ and business needs and concerns. As owner of Ohio Rental, I bring over 15 years of business experience which includes hands-on employee management and strong customer service skills that I will use to solve problems quickly and effectively. My background in construction will help me make good decisions with city projects, creating efficiency of time and saving money. I will step down as the daily operational manager of Ohio Rental to be mayor of the city of Mount Vernon. I will give my full attention, my vast experience and my people skills to serve the citizens of this community.

Where do you want to see your district in five to 10 years?

In five to 10 years, I want to see Mount Vernon as a healthy and strong community, a place where my children and my grandchildren choose to live. I see our historic downtown set out as a showpiece for all of Ohio. I see stronger connections with our small and large local businesses to produce the job growth for a healthy and productive community. I see new truck routes and traffic patterns to make our city transportation more user friendly. It will take strong leadership to change direction, our transportation problems have plagued our city for over 40 years and there has been no leader who has been willing to address them. I will not ignore our needs, I will address them.

Other ideas/plans: I have heard the cry of our citizens to address our ball fields. I have a plan drawn up to build a premiere ball complex to be built with private funding to be located in Mount Vernon. Our city loves to play ball. Our softball and baseball fields are packed very weekend, spring through fall. I would like to see a ball complex built in Mount Vernon not only to meet the needs of this city, but also to market ourselves to all of Ohio to host ball tournaments. This will bring business and customers into Mount Vernon.

I will also create a Whistle Blower policy to enable city employees to feel safe. When people feel safe they are confident and free to work and serve others well. Over a year ago, our state auditor wrote a letter that suggested this very thing to the city administration. I will use that advice to create a policy that will protect the citizens, employees and resources of Mount Vernon.

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Richard Mavis

democrat

Previous experience: Ten years educator, 30 years small business, 20 years county commissioner, 15 years and nine months Mount Vernon mayor.

What is the biggest issue facing your position?

Having enough money to fulfill budget needs is the biggest issue facing my position. Our 1.5 percent income tax drives the city economically, however, retaining existing jobs and creating new ones will be critical. Maintaining an appropriate infrastructure, creating adequate parks, continuing to provide responsive safety forces and ensuring sound fiscal management provide an attractive picture of our community to encourage new industry, business and residents.

How would you address this issue?

We have not created new positions, we question the need to fill vacancies, and we build future department budgets on 2010 guidelines. We use aggregation for our utilities. We prioritize our projects and take advantage of good bidding times. We make every effort to keep and attract new business.

What strengths would you bring to this position?

I have 10 years in education, 30 years in small business, 20 years in county government and 15 years and nine months in city government. I have served on and held leadership positions on state, regional and local committees, and maintain a good working relationship with local government and community leaders.

Where do you want to see your district in five to 10 years?

I want to see continued growth with the development of the Route 13 corridor through the downtown via Sandusky Street, the completion of an East End connection between Routes 229 and 36, the completion of the Woodward Opera House Project, the completion of the connecting link of the Kokosing Gap Trail and the Heart of Ohio Trail, the development of joint economic agreements with adjoining townships, the annexation of the old industrial sites in Clinton Township and the merging of local government responsibilities to expedite projects and establish a climate to encourage new jobs.

Other ideas/plans: I would encourage establishing a Tax Increment Financing District in the proposed new State Route 13 corridor to take advantage of all future construction generated as a result of the new road.

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Robert P. White

(write-in candidate)

Previous experience: Former employee of city engineering department.

What’s the biggest issue facing your position?

Traffic flow through the downtown area, downtown parking.

How would you address this issue?

I would work with City Council to adopt a comprehensive traffic plan for the city which would reroute truck traffic around the Central Business District. I would also push for the construction of a new multi-level parking structure in the downtown area.

What strengths would you bring to the position?

A positive, open-minded approach to city government.

Where do you want to see your district in five to 10 years?

I would like to see the downtown area grow with new business and possibly some type of residential development in the outlying areas of the downtown area.

Other ideas/plans: Expansion of city water and sewer lines to encourage industrial and residential development.