BRAVO! UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION
PROFESSOR LAURA KUMLER
&
STUDENTS
ALLIANCE CANDIDATES NIGHT
The Stark County Political Report (SCPR) has been covering candidates nights/forums/debates for all of The Report's nearly 10 years as a political blog providing Stark County voters with the most in-depth and thoroughgoing information about Stark County political subdivision candidates and issues on which to base their votes.
The primary objective of this blog is to feature the candidates running for three council at large seats in the upcoming November 7th general election.
Alliance voters in viewing the videos of the candidates responses to the questions posed have a valuable resource to use in determining whom to vote for.
Unfortunately, Republican incumbent Roger Rhome was not present at last night's event. Moreover, "non-partisan" candidate Donald W. Bartolet, II was not able to get to the event to be seated at the candidates' table and therefore missed out on an important opportunity to get his message out to Alliance voters.
First up is a video of a post-event interview with Professor Kumler and the students who introduce themselves and provide a brief synopsis of their backgrounds including their field of study at the University of Mount Union.
NEXT UP - THE OPENING OF ALLIANCE CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE CANDIDATES' NIGHT
Note: In the following videos, the SCPR inadvertently left the title of Abby Honaker in place.
The Report did interview Abby Honaker-Schroeder individually and here is that video in which she explains the University of Mount Union's commitment to Stark County community education through the Ralph/Mary Regula Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement which Ms Honaker-Schroeder is the director of.
The video:
CANDIDATES INTRODUCE THEMSELVES
Only one of the three Alliance council-at-large seats seems to be up-for-grabs between:
- Donald Bartolet, II (a non-partisan),
- Brian Simeone, (a Democrat),
- David Smith, (a Democrat), and
- Brandi Douthitt, (a Republican)
Veteran incumbent councilpersons Julie Jakmides and Roger Rhome (a former Ward 1 councilman and a "no-show" at the University of Mount Union sponsored Candidates Night event last night), both of whom are Republicans, appear likely to be elected to new terms.
One veteran Alliance political observer says that a person to watch in the hunt for that "newcomer-going-to-be-elected" third seat is former Alliance policeman Donald Bartolet, II.
Bartolet showed up late to last night's candidate forum.
Nonetheless, the SCPR caught up with him before the evening ended for this interview:
The question and her response.
NEXT UP
A question for candidate David Smith having to do with his proposal to work to create an alliance between the University of Mount Union and Alliance Community Hospital to create new jobs with a proviso as to his plan to work to create new jobs throughout the city:
The question and his response:
NEXT UP
A question to candidates Brian Simeone and Brandi Douthitt as to what they can do with their respective experience as small business owners in bringing new businesses to Alliance.
The question and their responses.
NEXT UP
A question to Brian Simeone to explain his claim that he can bring fiscal responsibility to Alliance government.
The question and his response.
NEXT UP
A question to all the candidates on whether they favor a tax increase or prefer to get Alliance finances in order by engaging more cost cutting.
The question and their responses.
NEXT UP
A question to all the candidates on their respective plans for getting Alliance government's legal expenses in line as well as plans to solve the problems of Alliance's safety forces.
The questions and their answers:
NEXT UP
A question of the candidates being against increasing Alliance's taxes: Do the candidates think that there can be "something for nothing?"
A question with no answers from the candidates as to what Alliance is to do about the opioid crisis.
The question and answer:
The SCPR's assessment is that Julie Jakmides far and away was the most prepared of the candidates to:
- handle the questions asked,
- have concrete and specific plans of action to solve Alliance's problems, and
- focus upon improving the process parts of a well functioning city council.
Brian Simeone kept insisting all night that he, if elected, will be working to bring manufacturing jobs back to Alliance.
The SCPR thinks his focus should have been on bringing family living wage and above jobs whatever classification they might fit into.
Regrettably, it appears to The Report and many others that manufacturing jobs however desirable are not going to make a big comeback in communities that dot the American landscape.
A highlight of the evening when David Smith attacked Jakmides for having left an Alliance council meeting some time back in that she was more than equal to the task of justifying her action. (LINK to blog going into detail about the council episode Smith was referring to)
None of the candidates including Jakmides seemed to have a clue about how Alliance might go about solving its opioid crisis.
In watching the foregoing videos, the Alliance public will have a good grasp on what is working and what is not working in The Carnation City in terms of effective governance.
And they have the University of Mount Union, Professor Kumler, the participating students and a healthy public turnout to thank for a highly successful evening of civic engagement.
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