Ward 2 City Council Election: Matt Schonhut

Name: Matthew A. Schonhut

Age: 20

Occupation: Small Business Owner- Schonhut Landscape Services LLC

Education: 2010 Strongsville High School, current student at Cuyahoga Community College

Political Affiliation: Republican

Office Sought: Strongsville City Council Ward 2

Previous Political Office Sought or Held: None

Candidate Statement: I am running for city council because I care about the city, the residents, and the businesses located here. Having lived in Strongsville my whole life and also choosing this city to be the headquarters of my business, it is clear that my passion and love for this city runs deep.

Over the past year since I have decided to run for city council, I have had the pleasure of meeting many new people and have been able to develop great relationships with them. While talking with these residents, I have found that many of them are all looking for the same thing out of city leaders. They are looking for three main things: a new energy, a new passion, and most importantly, new ideas.

I am confident that I posses all of these. I have gained the experience needed to fill this role. Most of this experience has come from running a small business here in town. I believe that being a small business owner and being a councilman have much in common. Both positions require that you be responsive, financially aware, and a creative thinker.

Aside from being a small business owner, I gained much experience through being a liaison to the Strongsville Board of Education. While I never had any voting rights, I was able to put my input into the decisions being made. Additionally, I gained invaluable knowledge as to how a board operates as well as how and why monies are spent the way they are.

Being a small business owner and a liaison to the schools has allowed me to gain a great deal of experience that I will apply when I become a city councilman. I feel that I am truly the best candidate for City Council Ward 2. It is clear that Ward 2 is looking for change, as almost 60 percent of voters chose to vote for a candidate other than the incumbent in the primary election. I am hoping that those voters will put their trust in me in the Nov. 8 general election.

I am promising my constituents to not raise their taxes and to also respond to each and every one of their phone calls. With my passion for this city and strong business background, Schonhut is the clear choice for Ward 2. I humbly ask for your support in the election.