Trustee Jarrett will not seek re-election
Endorses challenger candidate instead
Ray Jarrett
MEDINA TOWNSHIP – Ray Jarrett will relinquish his seat as a Medina Township trustee at the end of this year, opting out of his re-election bid after filing petitions to run.
In a Aug. 21 letter sent to The Post, Jarrett, who’s nearing the conclusion of his second term, said he withdrew his candidacy that morning.
“The decision was not an easy one and involved many hours of thoughtful consideration,” Jarrett wrote. “I never wavered from taking the high road and I’m grateful you stood by me.”
Jarrett, a township resident since 1994, called his eight years representing residents of the township his “greatest honor.”
“It has been a privilege to participate in decisions that will greatly improve service to the residents of Medina Township while also keeping the lid on taxes,” he said.
Jarrett did not return calls for additional comments.
Instead, he went on in his letter to issue an endorsement for trustee candidate Jimmy Traynor, who has previously run for the position, as well as applied for a vacancy, in recent years. Traynor is also a current member of the township’s zoning board.
“I know that Medina Township will prosper and the residents will be well served with Jimmy Traynor as part of the leadership team,” Jarrett said.
Jarrett has been employed with the city of Strongsville for over 30 years. He is currently the city’s sewer supervisor. He and his wife, Peggy, live on Foskett Road.
One of Jarrett’s counterparts, Trustee Ken DeMichael commented on Jarrett’s departure, saying that the move and the Traynor endorsement “doesn’t surprise me.”
“(Trustee Chair) Bill Ostmann, Ray and Jimmy are all friends,” DeMichael said. “They frequently go to the bar together after the meetings.”
DeMichael went on to criticize the voting records of Jarrett and Ostmann.
“Bill and Ray have never voted against one another. Not one single time ever,” DeMichael said.
DeMichael said he is encouraging township residents to vote for candidates Mark Radice and Mike Stopa “because they will bring fresh ideas rather than hidden agendas.”
In a Aug. 21 letter sent to The Post, Jarrett, who’s nearing the conclusion of his second term, said he withdrew his candidacy that morning.
“The decision was not an easy one and involved many hours of thoughtful consideration,” Jarrett wrote. “I never wavered from taking the high road and I’m grateful you stood by me.”
Jarrett, a township resident since 1994, called his eight years representing residents of the township his “greatest honor.”
“It has been a privilege to participate in decisions that will greatly improve service to the residents of Medina Township while also keeping the lid on taxes,” he said.
Jarrett did not return calls for additional comments.
Instead, he went on in his letter to issue an endorsement for trustee candidate Jimmy Traynor, who has previously run for the position, as well as applied for a vacancy, in recent years. Traynor is also a current member of the township’s zoning board.
“I know that Medina Township will prosper and the residents will be well served with Jimmy Traynor as part of the leadership team,” Jarrett said.
Jarrett has been employed with the city of Strongsville for over 30 years. He is currently the city’s sewer supervisor. He and his wife, Peggy, live on Foskett Road.
One of Jarrett’s counterparts, Trustee Ken DeMichael commented on Jarrett’s departure, saying that the move and the Traynor endorsement “doesn’t surprise me.”
“(Trustee Chair) Bill Ostmann, Ray and Jimmy are all friends,” DeMichael said. “They frequently go to the bar together after the meetings.”
DeMichael went on to criticize the voting records of Jarrett and Ostmann.
“Bill and Ray have never voted against one another. Not one single time ever,” DeMichael said.
DeMichael said he is encouraging township residents to vote for candidates Mark Radice and Mike Stopa “because they will bring fresh ideas rather than hidden agendas.”