Voters to Narrow City Council Field Tuesday

Voters in Wards 2, 3 and 4 will narrow the field of City Council candidates to two at the polls Tuesday.

Also on the ballot is Issue 8, a 9.9-mill school levy. School officials, anticipating its defeat, have already placed a 6.9-mill levy on the Aug. 2 special election ballot.

Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Five candidates are vying for the Ward 2 seat held by Ray Haseley. Challengers are Nathan Prahst, Matthew Schonhut, William White and Anthony Zubek.

In Ward 3, where long-time incumbent Mark Roth  has said he will not seek re-election, three candidates -- Jim Carbone, Larry Frawley and Tom McMillen -- are seeking the seat.

Three candidates are also running in Ward 4. Scott Maloney, who was appointed to the post in January after Mike Gallagher left to serve on the Cuyahoga County Council, is opposed by Patricia Pell and Steven Sinisgalli.

In Strongsville, races with more than two candidates are narrowed down in a May primary and decided in the November general election. The top two vote-getters in each race Tuesday will face off in November.

Mayor Tom Perciak and Ward 1 Councilman Mike Daymut are unopposed. The three at-large council seats are not up for election this year.

Here is a recap of the candidates' platforms from a Strongsville Republican Club event in March.

 Haseley said his dedicated leadership and experience on city council for the past 14 years is why voters should retain him in the Ward 2 post.

“I want to continue to represent Strongsville in Ward 2, while working on industrial development to keep our tax base,” he said. “I want to keep Strongsville a great place to live and work and raise a family."

Prahst, 22, who will soon graduate from Cleveland State University with a degree in business administration, said responsibility, integrity and unity are what politics are all about.

“My utmost purpose is to represent your needs and opinions,” he said. “I’ve seen the city grow and I want to do my part to give back.”

Schonhut, 19, a local landscaping business owner, says he will get the job done if elected to city council.

“I care about the city, about my neighbors and I guarantee you will know me and I will know you,” he said. “We need courageous leadership. I feel there is no better way to give back than to serve as a councilman.”

Meanwhile, White, who is a 25-year resident of Strongsville, said he has seen Ward 2 change dramatically over the years. He said now there is a disconnect with residents and local leaders.

“I am the one to fill that void,” he said. “We are all in this together and I want to put Strongsville back on top.”

Zubek, also a longtime resident, said he will operate with transparency if he is elected. He said he has been an active observer of city council by regularly attending meetings and reading city reports. 

“Council must ask why, how and how much debt is enough,” he said. “I am prepared to serve.”

In Ward 3, Carbone, a school resource officer in North Olmsted, said no one is more passionate about the city than he is.

“I am committed to working hard and I will listen to the residents of Ward 3. I will help when needed. I have a lot of energy to give to the residents.”

Frawley, a small business owner, promises voters that he knows what it is like to balance a budget and to make hard decisions.

“My goal is to make our city government as efficient as possible. I will bring leadership to city council and I will always do the right thing,” he said.

McMillen, also a longtime resident of Strongsville, calls himself “the people’s councilman.”

He said pursuing alternative solutions to all-electric homes, as well as the conditions of streets in Ward 3 top his list of concerns. He would also endorse a “Shop Strongsville” campaign to promote local businesses.

“I will work on your behalf,” he promised.

Ward 4 incumbent Maloney acknowledged many people are angry at government at all levels, but believes things in Strongsville have improved -- especially over the past 10 years.

“I am a hard worker who brings tangible results. I have a strong business background and I base my decisions on the facts—not just emotions,” he said.

Pell, the only female candidate, is no stranger to local government. She served on Parma's City Council in the 1980s.

“From my prior experience, I understand the need and the importance of engaging residents when issues impact them. I will work to gain your trust,” she said.

Building a stronger relationship with the school board by maintaining an open dialogue is also important to her.

Sinisgalli, a banker and longtime resident of Strongsville, said integrity is of the utmost importance, while making sure legislation is done with fairness and due diligence.

“I pledge to work together with residents,” he said. “I bring a track record of leadership and results.”