Six candidates vying for three at-large council positions
Candidates give reasoning for running
Jim Carbone
STRONGSVILLE – There are three Strongsville Council-at-Large positions up for grabs during the Nov. 7 General Election.
Running for these council positions are current councilmen-at-large Joe DeMio, Ken Dooner (president) and Duke Southworth, Ward 3 Councilman Jim Carbone, Ward 2 Councilman Matt Shonhut and newcomer Kelly Kosek.
Each candidate was asked why they are seeking a council-at-large position for this article.
Jim Carbone
“Going through the slip ramp issue and being reignited with a lot of people opened my eyes to representing the whole town. There are a lot of good things going on in town and I would like to build on some of those with new ideas.”
Joe DeMio
“I enjoy helping people, putting them in the best position to resolve their issues. I still believe I work for the residents of this town.”
Ken Dooner
“I want to continue moving the city in the right direction, as we have done in the past. The city’s in good shape. We need to make this about the future of Strongsville.”
Kelly Kosek
“I’m running for city council because I want to make Strongsville a better place. I see Strongsville as a city at a crossroads. There are some big decisions looming. What will Strongsville look like in the next 10 or 20 years? The decisions that city council makes now will impact the city for years to come. As a mom I’m dismayed that the concerns of families don’t seem to be viewed as a top priority. It’s important that city council be more transparent on the issues it is voting on without just ramming ordinances through without giving residents a real opportunity to be heard. I’m the only candidate not on city council so I’m the only candidate that can bring change to city council. I’m running because residents deserve the choice between more of the same and something different.”
Matt Schonhut
“There have been a lot of issues we have dealt with over a handful of years that have impacted people across the city, whether it be the slip ramp or this new development being proposed by Ledgewood. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a lot more people to discuss a lot of different issues across the city. I’m doing this because I’ve been encouraged by a lot of residents to run for a citywide position so I can represent them. Clearly, there’s a divide on council. We are at a pivotal point where the decisions made will impact generations to come.”
Duke Southworth
“Four years ago I ran on a platform of infrastructure to address traffic concerns, sound barrier walls and I worked toward these goals. I really made a push to address the flooding concerns throughout the city. That work is still going on. We still have infrastructure needs. Our roads need to be repaired and flooding is always going to be a concern. How do you address all these concerns and be fiscally responsible? I’ve worked well with my fellow council members and the administration to come up with that balance.”
Running for these council positions are current councilmen-at-large Joe DeMio, Ken Dooner (president) and Duke Southworth, Ward 3 Councilman Jim Carbone, Ward 2 Councilman Matt Shonhut and newcomer Kelly Kosek.
Each candidate was asked why they are seeking a council-at-large position for this article.
Jim Carbone
“Going through the slip ramp issue and being reignited with a lot of people opened my eyes to representing the whole town. There are a lot of good things going on in town and I would like to build on some of those with new ideas.”
Joe DeMio
“I enjoy helping people, putting them in the best position to resolve their issues. I still believe I work for the residents of this town.”
Ken Dooner
“I want to continue moving the city in the right direction, as we have done in the past. The city’s in good shape. We need to make this about the future of Strongsville.”
Kelly Kosek
“I’m running for city council because I want to make Strongsville a better place. I see Strongsville as a city at a crossroads. There are some big decisions looming. What will Strongsville look like in the next 10 or 20 years? The decisions that city council makes now will impact the city for years to come. As a mom I’m dismayed that the concerns of families don’t seem to be viewed as a top priority. It’s important that city council be more transparent on the issues it is voting on without just ramming ordinances through without giving residents a real opportunity to be heard. I’m the only candidate not on city council so I’m the only candidate that can bring change to city council. I’m running because residents deserve the choice between more of the same and something different.”
Matt Schonhut
“There have been a lot of issues we have dealt with over a handful of years that have impacted people across the city, whether it be the slip ramp or this new development being proposed by Ledgewood. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a lot more people to discuss a lot of different issues across the city. I’m doing this because I’ve been encouraged by a lot of residents to run for a citywide position so I can represent them. Clearly, there’s a divide on council. We are at a pivotal point where the decisions made will impact generations to come.”
Duke Southworth
“Four years ago I ran on a platform of infrastructure to address traffic concerns, sound barrier walls and I worked toward these goals. I really made a push to address the flooding concerns throughout the city. That work is still going on. We still have infrastructure needs. Our roads need to be repaired and flooding is always going to be a concern. How do you address all these concerns and be fiscally responsible? I’ve worked well with my fellow council members and the administration to come up with that balance.”