Fallsnewspress.com - At-large candidates focus on development, infrastructure

Levia Goff

Jeff Iula

Carol Klinger

Debbie Ritzinger

by Steve Wiandt

Reporter

Two Democrats and two Republicans are running for two At Large seats on City Council in the Nov. 3 election. Two are incumbents, and two have never held an elected office.

Incumbents Carol Ann Klinger (R) and Debbie Ritzinger (D) and challengers Jeff Iula (R) and Levia Goff (D) will compete for the pair of four-year seats.

Goff said many Cuyahoga Falls residents are concerned about crime in the Falls community and the city's aging infrastructure. "I believe it is imperative that we maintain police and fire protection in our city to preserve Cuyahoga Falls as a desirable and safe place to live," Goff said.

"I empathize with many residents in their concern for the aging infrastructure," she said. "I will be proactive in the upkeep of city roads and sewer lines to prevent damage to homes and automobiles."

Goff said she will work to inform homeowners of programs that can assist them in upgrading their homes. "I am a strong supporter of utilizing existing resources and providing services without increasing taxes," she said.

A Falls resident since 1986, Goff has volunteered in the Falls schools, nursing homes and homeless shelters; taught Junior Achievements; served as a scout leader; and coached various sport teams.

Goff said her 20 years as an operating engineer and a member of Local #18 gives her insight into city streets and structures, as well as city planning.

"I am running ... because I cherish my community and wish to give back to the place I call home," Goff said.

One major issue Iula sees is the shortage of businesses along a once thriving area of the city. Iula said he wants to see State Road from the Akron-Falls line to Graham Road, redeveloped back to the way it was in the 1960s.

"We have way too many empty storefronts we need to do something with," he said. Iula has lived in Cuyahoga Falls 45 years, completing all 12 grades in the city schools.

In addition to new businesses, Iula said he will work to attract new families to move to Cuyahoga Falls, noting that the Northampton area is an ideal part of the city where growth can take place.

Iula sees the city's aging infrastructure as another issue that needs to be addressed. "We have to really update all our water lines, sewer lines, streets and curbs," he said, "because this city was built after [World War II]."

"A few of the residents are concerned about the schools, but I think the schools are pretty good," Iula said, adding that many residents are senior citizens and no longer have children in the schools.

"A lot of the residents [complained] about State Road," Iula said. "They want to know, 'What are we going to do with the shopping center?

Iula said he can drive through a number of neighborhoods and pick out which houses are owner-occupied and which are rentals. He said the city needs to require landlords to properly maintain their properties.

"As I walk the neighborhoods of our city the resounding concern I hear is the redevelopment of the State Road Shopping Center," said Klinger, a 26-year member of Council.

"The residents have made a significant financial investment in this project and residents feel short-changed with the current ideas that have come from the Mayor and his developer."

A past Ward 2 City Council representative, Klinger has lived in the city 26 years.

Residents are saying the city is "saturated" with grocery stores and drug stores, Klinger said, and she will convene a public forum on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at Lion's Park Lodge to discuss residents' preferences regarding the State Road development. "I want the residents to have a real voice in this important project," she said.

The other concerns that Klinger said she heard include infrastructure improvements and land use. She said she will continue to push for Chart Road improvements and support legislation to accelerate this project along with other road improvement, water expansion, and storm water management projects.

Klinger said she will work with the administration to achieve the highest development standards that complement the surrounding neighborhoods.

"I am the only At Large Council candidate that stood up for the residents and voted against the final Mission Falls special overlay development plan," Klinger said.

"A major concern of city residents is the budget and the finances of the city," said Ritzinger, who is in her second year as an At Large Council member.

Residents are also concerned about the recent increase in their utility bills due to an error in the charge for electric service, she said, as well as the high number of foreclosures in the city.

Ritzinger began her elected term as a Ward 1 Councilor in January 2004. In February 2008 she replaced Tim Gorbach as an At Large Council member when Gorbach resigned.

One of the things Ritzinger is passionate about is seeing the redevelopment of the former State Road Shopping Center. "That has been a big concern for all city residents since I started on Council," said Ritzinger, a 25-year resident of the Falls.

Ritzinger said she was a member of the she is "excited" about the developer's plan to put all retail in the plaza because it will add to the city's tax base.