Westlake Election 2017

With the General Election on Nov. 7 only a few weeks away, residents have expressed interest in learning more about the capital improvement projects that passage of Westlake’s Issue 53, the renewal of the one-eighth percent (0.125%) income tax, could help bring to the city.

Mayor Dennis Clough invites residents and the general public to an Open House and Public Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 6-9 p.m. at the Westlake Recreation Center to discuss both topics.

At 7 p.m. in the Community Rooms, Mayor Clough will be joined by Community Services Department Director, Lydia Gadd, and Recreation Department Director, Bob DeMinico, to present an update on the Westlake Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The plan includes a new Aquatic Center, a new Senior and Community Services Building, a Sports Complex and other projects.

The Westlake-North Olmsted Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland offers the following as commentary on two local issues that are on the Westlake ballot for the Nov. 7 election.

ISSUE 53: Proposed Municipal Income Tax (Continuation), regarding renewal of an income tax for recreational facility upgrades
PROS

• Will replace 50-year-old Peterson Pool with an extensive outdoor aquatic area
• Will provide for a senior/community center tailored to users’ needs and supportive of anticipated increases in programming
• Guarantees a dedicated revenue stream to pay for new and enhanced facilities, parks and fields and covers costs of principal and interest on any related bonds without imposing additional taxes

CONS

• Spends substantial dollars on an aquatic center that is usable only part of a year
• Does not anticipate needs for additional staffing and maintenance costs that could affect plans for the use of this revenue
• Assumes tax revenue from this renewal will not decrease during the time period that it is in effect (1/1/2018-12/21/2045)

To the voters of Westlake,

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Council President since 1996. Together we have seen Westlake mature into a great place to live and raise a family – with outstanding police, fire and city services, modern and well maintained infrastructure, Crocker Park, a remarkably strong financial position, low taxes and so much more. I have worked very hard over the years to provide strong leadership and guidance, and I ask for your support to continue Westlake’s success.

Using my professional experience, I have insisted on long term planning so that Westlake is positioned to address ever-changing needs. We must continue to use creative, cost effective and innovative ways to build on our successes. My proven abilities, experience, independence and dedication uniquely position me to continue serving all the citizens of Westlake.

My name is Joe Kraft. I want to be your Westlake City Council President. 

Why Am I Running? Simply put, it is time. A new, fresh face in government will bring new relationships, a change in dynamics, and an increase in two-way communication. Westlake is a vibrant, gifted city with relatively low taxes, providing us with high quality services at an excellent value.

My goal is to protect what makes Westlake a wonderful place to raise a family, build a business and invest in a neighborhood, while continuing to seek opportunities to improve our community. We must always look for ways to innovate, otherwise we will fall behind. I’m proud to live in Westlake and want the same for future generations.

I attended undergraduate college at Cleveland State University and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1984. I then attended law school at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where I earned my J.D. degree in 1987. I began my legal career as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor in 1987. I prosecuted hundreds of serious felony charges, including Murder, Major Drug Trafficking, and Corruption cases. I then went in to private practice at a firm and later on my own. When opening my law practice, I also started as an assistant law director for the City of Parma. I have now been licensed and practicing law for 30 years.

I have been employed as a prosecutor at the felony and misdemeanor level for a combined 24 years, and as a law director for 17 years. I have a career of legal work in both the public and private sector, and on both sides of civil and criminal litigation.

Dear Westlake residents,
 


Westlake needs a strong, independent law director who will fight for its residents and victims of crime – and collaborate with the mayor and council. An attorney for 24 years and a Westlake resident for nearly as many, civic participation is integral to who I am. My ties are to Westlake.

Open government has been the bedrock of my career. Already residents have shared their concerns and they will be my focus:

I have enjoyed representing the people of Ward 1 for nearly 4 years. I want to continue in the role for the following reasons:  

• Build on the email and social media communication I implemented. I love hearing from you and sharing what the city is working on.
• Continue fiscal responsibility and exemplary community services. I’m proud to have supported the textile recycling initiative; so far nearly 40 tons have been recycled, reducing landfill waste.
• Work with interested businesses to continue to expand and promote economic development. 
• Advocate for further collaboration between the city and our schools. I attend School Board meetings to stay informed about the issues and the spending of our tax dollars.
• Be a voice and represent the needs of Ward 1 in conjunction with the city’s goals.
• Be a presence in the community at large to foster communication and responsiveness. You've seen me at city events; rec events; school events. All opportunities for you to talk to me about your concerns.

I am running for Westlake City Council, Ward 1, to keep Westlake a vibrant, thriving community with low taxes and a high quality of life.

I grew up in Ward 1 and returned to raise my here family because of the excellent city services, the great schools, and the beautiful neighborhoods.

To keep us on the right track, now is the time to update Westlake’s master plan, with input from the community, to address changing trends in where we work, shop and play. We need to be proactive and smart about how the limited vacant land, and existing underutilized properties, are developed in the future. The result: quality development to keep our economic engine going and our taxes low, while protecting our neighborhoods and open space.

Dear Residents of Ward 5,

It is my privilege to serve as your council representative.

This year alone I have worked personally with more than 120 of you, resolving your issues, listening to your suggestions to improve our city, and helping you find solutions to your concerns. In addition, I have spoken with many of you at city functions and out in our community. I welcome these opportunities to meet you and listen to your ideas.

To those of you I have not yet met personally, please know that I give thoughtful consideration to all matters that come before City Council, and every vote I make is done with your safety and well being in mind.

Born and raised here in Northeast Ohio, I have been a resident of Westlake and Ward 5 for over 18 years.

Professionally, I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with my MBA. I have worked with individuals, small and large companies and for-profit and non-profit organizations. Currently, I work for myself and a local charity, Coats for Kids. I’m grateful to be able to use my profession to give back to the community.

Over the years I have been elected president of three different PTA units, the most recent being the Westlake Council of PTAs which oversees all of the PTA units in Westlake and interacts with other community organizations. I have served on the Strategic Planning Commission with Westlake City Schools, a group of community members, business owners, parents, and staff dedicated to plotting the course for our schools in the future. I represented parents during Recreation Master Plan meetings for the City of Westlake.

I am running for Westlake City Council from Ward 6. I have practiced law for 37 years and am currently a partner in a Westlake law firm. I have lived in Westlake for over 30 years and served on the board of the three homeowners associations where I’ve lived. I have been an official/referee in local school sports programs. I have volunteered with organizations providing assistance to the homeless, hungry, high school students and Legal Aid clients.

As a first-time candidate for political office, I walked every street in Ward 6, knocking on doors to introduce myself and ask for residents’ support. I listened to their concerns and answered their questions. I want to earn every Ward 6 resident’s vote on Nov. 7. With your vote, I will truly be that fresh face and new voice on city council.

I have lived and worked in Westlake for over 30 years. During that time, I have been actively involved in the community. The positive spirit of both Westlake and its citizens inspired me to begin serving on Westlake City Council in 2009. Exciting projects are in the works, including a potential new pool, new community center, and improved park system. I hope to see the evolution of these projects through, and I believe that my experience will prove an incredible asset.

My upbringing has molded the person I am today. My father suffered from Multiple Sclerosis for as long as I can remember. His illness never broke his resolve, as he never ceased leading and helping others. He taught me that character is defined by selfless, unacknowledged action. I learned by his example and have served the Westlake community with integrity, honesty, and truthfulness.