(Posted April 24, 2015)
The following is information submitted by candidates running opposed in the May 5 primary election in London.
London Mayor (one to be elected)
• Patrick J. Closser (R)
225 Park Ave., London
Occupation: Owner-operator, Casey’s Carry Out of London
Previous service in public office: City of London, member of council (Ward 1), 2011-2014; city of London, council president, 2014-present
Education: Pursued a bachelor of business, Sinclair Community College and Wright State University 1997-2002; diploma, London High School, 1997
Community activities/honors: Board member, Downtown London Association, 2008-present; chairman, London Rib & Jazz Fest, 2009-present; founding and board member, London Community Organization, 2010-present; chairman, Fourth of July Parade Committee, 2011-present; board member, London Visual Arts Guild, 2010-present; cabinet member, United Way, 2011-present; board of directors, Madison County Chamber of Commerce, 2012-present, current third vice president; board of directors, Madison County Future Inc. (CIC), 2013-present, current secretary.
Goals if elected: I will build stronger relationships, be available and open up the lines of communication with government officials, service groups and especially the citizens. I will strengthen our workforce by getting potential employees qualified and ready to take positions at existing businesses in London. I will pursue new businesses to locate in all areas of London and stay, which will increase revenue for the city without raising taxes. I will curb the drug problem in London.
• Henry Comer (R)
55 S. Oak St., London
Occupation: Daycare owner, Mandy’s Daycare of London
Previous service in public office: President of the London Community Organization, minority representative University of Cincinnati, QI board member Madison Clark County Mental Health, University of Cincinnati Psychology alumni representative, London Parks & Recreation board.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, pre-med psychiatry, University of Cincinnati; associates of arts, pre-med psychiatry, University of Cincinnati.
Community activities/honors: Lifetime member Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology; former University of Cincinnati football player; lead and associate researcher, International Journal of Science in Society; editor, The International Journal of Science in Society.
Goals if elected: As mayor, I’ll work to create stronger businesses while fostering a vibrant healthy community. I’m a new face with new ideas. I‘ll also help lead the fight against drugs and alcohol. I will listen to the community with an open door policy so that decisions are made with the community’s best interest at heart. I will work closely with the community to help London to be a vibrant place to live, work and raise a family.
London Council At-Large (three to be elected)
• Megan Douglas (R)
161 E. First, London
Occupation: Taillight assembler, Employment Plus for Stanley Electric
Previous service in public office: Though I have no previous experience holding public office, I do understand how the government system works and look forward to representing the people of London if elected.
Education: I’m a graduate of London High School Class of 2011. When I graduated high school, I wanted to be a teacher so I went to Clark State Community College the following year. However when Common Core came through Ohio, I couldn’t bring myself to teach it. So I decided to pursue my other passion, politics and journalism. College is expensive, and I refuse to graduate with a huge debt, so I will continue to work and save. In the meantime, however, I do take some free online classes from Hillsdale College on various points of interest.
Community activities/honors: Since the time I was 18, I’ve served the Madison County Board of Elections in six elections as either an election official or presiding judge. I absolutely love doing it and will continue for as long as Mr. Ward and Mr. Erbaugh will have me. I have also been honored with the Madison County Republican Executive Committee’s endorsement.
Goals if elected: I have two goals. I believe the answer to business growth lies in removing building restrictions, decreasing permit costs, and changing sign codes. This would make London more appealing to new businesses and allow current businesses to grow. My second goal is a better trash removal system. I believe that if we employed free market principles by letting citizens choose between the city or an outside company then we would see competitive prices and better services.
• Roger T. Morris (R)
232 Park Ave., London
Occupation: Retired, work part-time; Madison County Board of Develop-mental Disabilities
Previous service in public office: London city council at-large, elected for two terms
Education: Madison South High School, classes at Wittenberg University
Community activities/honors: Member, First Presbyterian Church (deacon, elder, clerk of session); London Lions Club (past president, zone chairman), Chandler Lodge, Madison County Shrine Club (current president)
Goals if elected: Move all city offices to one building (old London Primary building that the city owns). Move street department to old ODOT building to give them more room; also will provide fire department with more room to expand (city would have to purchase the building). Capital improvements—street repair, water lines and bridge repair. Provide more recreational activities for all—adults and children—and maintain those already offered.
• Joshua Peters (R)
1087 Dorset Drive, London
Occupation: Self employed, owner of Handy-man Cafe
Previous service in public office: Appointed to city council in January 2015
Education: London High School; Columbus State Community College, A.S. construction management
Community activities: London Kiwanis, past president London Kiwanis, vice president St. Patrick Athletic Association, athletic director for St. Patrick School, London Area Baseball Council coach, St. Patrick School coach
Goals if elected: To see and promote smart growth and development that will help make the city of London a viable community for the future.
• Jason Schwaderer (R)
310 Thomas Lane, London
Occupation: Architect/client manager, Shremshock
Previous service in public office: London City Council (2014-present)
Education: Bachelor’s degree (2004), Bowling Green State University
Community activities/honors: London Downtown Historical Review Board (2010-2013), London Fastpitch Softball Organiza-tion board member (2014-present), Brooksedge Home Owners Association president/vice president (2010 – present)
Goals if elected: I would like to see better collaboration between city council, departments and administrators where all entities work together in the interest of the community. I am working on a project to consolidate city offices into a single building, which will save utility/building maintenance costs and create one localized office for citizens. Other goals include appropriating available finances for city infrastructure maintenance, ensuring safe communities, and supporting business growth.
