Five people running for 3 city council seats
Coshocton City residents will find five people on their ballots for city council at large seats. They will be able to vote for three of the following people: Current City Councilman Thomas A. Barcroft (Republican); current City Councilwoman Michelle Turner Ganz (Democrat); Robert P. Leist (Nonparty Candidate); current City Councilman Glenn Mishler (Republican), and Rick Williamson (Nonparty Candidate).
Thomas A. Barcroft (Republican)
What experience do you have that makes you a good candidate for this position? I have served as council at large since February of this year, having been appointed by the Republican Central Committee to fill a vacant unexpired term. Prior to that appointment, as President of Our Town Coshocton, I regularly attended council meetings and worked with city administration on several projects.
I am a life-long member of our community and actively serve as President of Our Town Coshocton, am a member of the Republican Central Committee, Think Tank, Transportation Improvement District, Historic Preservation Commission, and Leadership Coshocton County Advisory Board.
What do you think is the top issue facing our community right now and how would you address it? Like many small cities, Coshocton faces many challenges. One of the most pressing, in my opinion, is the condition of our infrastructure. While our water treatment facilities are state of the art, we are faced with aging water lines, sewer lines, storm water system, and crumbling surfaces on our streets. Given our limited resources, there is no quick fix for this. I feel that it is important that the city formulate a long term plan, including actively pursuing grants and matching funds.
How do you plan to make city residents feel like they have a voice about issues or concerns in the community? Council meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Meetings can also be watched on the city’s YouTube channel. The city website offers a wealth of information, including how to contact your council person. I would encourage citizens to become informed and engaged with the operation of our city.
Michelle Turner Ganz (Democrat)
What experience do you have that makes you a good candidate for this position? My family chose Coshocton. My dad moved here in high school and my mother moved here when my parents married. I was born here, and I chose to raise my children here. I’ve experienced Coshocton’s highs and lows first hand and I’m so proud that as a community we are working together and moving forward again.
I care about Coshocton today. I care about Coshocton’s tomorrows. My career has allowed me to travel all over the United States. I’m always proud to talk about my hometown and how it is rich in culture and community involvement. I was raised to show up and fight for the things I care about. This town is special to me. That’s why I’m running for city council at large.
My experience includes running a third generation family business in the heart of our city. Realizing there are differences between running a business and serving on city council I am able to blend the two. I bring financial understanding, human resource experience, growth, family values, and vision to the position.
What do you think is the top issue facing our community right now and how would you address it? I feel the top issues facing our community right now are filling the job openings and finding ways to expand the quality of life. As exciting as it is to be a growing community, its important the businesses stay busy, and the people here have things to do as well as places to live. Continuing to establish programs for rehabilitation, encouraging technical education, supporting outdoor activities are all examples.
I listen, I ask questions, I care. I strive to be the voice of my fellow city residents.
How do you plan to make city residents feel like they have a voice about issues or concerns in the community? I can be reached by email, phone, or on social media. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are important to me. I promise to bring them to the table, to ask hard questions, and to seek and share answers. I strive to make sure everyone who reaches out to me feels both seen and heard.
Robert P. Leist (Nonparty Candidate)
What experience do you have that makes you a good candidate for this position? I served for many years as a union steward for Kraft-Heinz which has enhanced my reasoning, listening, and negotiating skills. I had also been elected as the Representative of the Libertarian Party of Ohio for Congressional District #7, served on their central committee, and served as a delegate at state and national conventions.
Last year, I campaigned to become the State Representative of the 72nd District. In this campaign I expanded my network across the great state of Ohio to include over half of the State Legislature and a multitude of county/city officials. I intend to use this network to investigate solutions to Coshocton’s issues and to petition for our interests at the state level.
I currently serve on the Coshocton Board of Zoning Appeals and the Coshocton County Bike Path Committee.
These experiences have given me an in depth look into the inner workings of our government, working with diverse groups of people, and fostering cooperation. In that spirit, I have assembled an advisory board to assist me in improving Coshocton. Currently, our neighbors who have graciously offered wisdom in their areas of expertise are Chuck Hathaway, Tom Edwards, Bethel Toler, and Sheila Mayse. I am honored to have them by my side in displaying how a community can come together to facilitate positive change.
What do you think is the top issue facing our community right now and how would you address it? I believe our top priority should be repairs and upgrades to our infrastructure. It’s no secret that there has been many waterline breaks, crumbling street lights, and streets in ill repair. These conditions are budget sensitive. I will comb the city expenses to identify wasteful spending, eliminate it, and have the funds appropriated to our more immediate needs. If we are to advance toward prosperity as a city, we must provide proper infrastructure. Not only do the citizens need and deserve it, but potential industry looks for it and expects it.
How do you plan to make city residents feel like they have a voice about issues or concerns in the community? I intend to be accessible and increase community knowledge of what our local government is doing by providing easy to access public information by utilizing multiple platforms including the internet and social media. I currently have a Facebook page devoted to my public service and a website (LeistForCoshocton.com). I have already earned the trust of many people, by carrying their concerns to city council. As a citizen, I have been attending council meetings for over 2.5 years to convey issues to city hall and keep up to date so that I might “hit the ground, running” upon receiving the honor of serving the good people of Coshocton.
Glenn Mishler (Republican)
What experience do you have that makes you a good candidate for this position? I am the most experienced candidate in the race, having served 4 1/2 terms on Coshocton City Council, successfully reelected after first being appointed to fulfill an unfinished term. This is the third time I’ve been in a contested election.
I have served on virtually every council committee, this year chairing both the infrastructure and the rules committees, also serving on ordinance and housing. I work equally well with Republican, Democrat and Independent Council members. I have always focused on the common good of the city and its citizens over any partisan advantage. But over the years, I have been pleased that all those council members would almost always honestly say the same thing. Rarely on our council have we ever had open partisan differences other than minor ones.
In my years in sales and in many volunteer efforts both locally and across the state, I have learned to always try to find a consensus among sometimes divisive opinions. I strive to always hear everyone out and weigh their comments against others before deciding which direction I believe I should follow.
I have worked well with the city administration and departments. My efforts to organize citizen committees to address serious needs were successful twice. Passing a streets levy that had previously failed led to Coshocton’s ability to repair and properly repave 33 miles of our streets out of a total of 65 miles. Remember the dangerous and deplorable condition of Otsego Avenue just a few years ago? And when we were almost financially unable to commit to a new contract with the Coshocton Sheriff’s Office, a similar citizens’ committee, with full participation with the fire department and sheriff deputies, finally afforded a comfortable financial position that has led to yet another new contract. Better and more equipment and vehicles as well as more “boots on the street” have permitted us to fight crime locally as well as possible in recent years, and it continues to improve.
In addition, I have developed relationships with and then worked with the Port Authority, county and state of Ohio officials to get cooperation and financial support for addressing our many needs.
What do you think is the top issue facing our community right now and how would you address it?
There are many serious issues facing the city at this time – abandoned houses and buildings, illegal drugs, the need for additional jobs, and many more. In my opinion the biggest concern is the need for the proposed Coshocton County Justice Center. Yes this is county-wide, but it is most certainly a city issue as well. Our current jail is terribly outdated and inadequate. Building a modern facility will be vital to maintaining a safe community. I will support the efforts of the commissioners and Sheriff Crawford at every opportunity, including personally campaigning for the passing of this important issue.
How do you plan to make city residents feel like they have a voice about issues or concerns in the community? Residents tend to contact city hall or their ward council representative rather than their at-large council rep, but I am always available by phone, email, or Facebook at virtually any time. After decades of life as a salesman on the road, I am now employed part time in the city at a local bank. I engage citizens face to face for many hours every week. I have been involved in many local groups and always engaged individuals or groups who wanted ask questions or state opinions.
And once any issue has been addressed, I make it my responsibility to follow up with all those involved to ensure they are satisfied with the results. And if not, I pursue it further.
Rick Williamson (Nonparty Candidate)
What experience do you have that makes you a good candidate for this position? I believe my management position in my professional life and having served on numerous boards and committees locally make me a great candidate for council at large. I work on management teams at the local, state and federal level. I work with my management team to make sure that we not only provide excellent care, but also make sure that we take care of our employees. It has always been my philosophy to let people be heard no matter if I agree or disagree with them. The only way this works, is to let everyone speak, and then come up with a decision that is not best for an individual but for everyone involved. I believe my skills will be able to carry over to the local government level.
I have the ability to not only discuss and make decisions on topics of concerns, but I am also able to work together as a team for a common goal.
What do you think is the top issue facing our community right now and how would you address it? We still see a lot of blighted areas and properties that are not maintained or up to code. The city has ordinances and property codes in place. These codes need enforced. I would do my part to make sure that they are enforced. I also feel that if a concerned citizen has a complaint, there needs to be a follow up with that citizen, so they feel their voice has been heard.
How do you plan to make city residents feel like they have a voice about issues or concerns in the community? I would like to use my social media as a way of connecting with local residents. Social media is an effective way of getting information to masses and having discussions about their concerns. You have to know how residents feel and want in order to represent them. I also feel that citizens need to be followed up with when they do use their voice.
Category: People & Places
