Council Member Challenges South Russell Mayor

October 24, 2019 by Staff Report

South Russell Village’s 3,076 registered voters will decide who will become mayor between challenger Michael Carroll and incumbent William Koons in the Nov. 5 general election.

Carroll currently serves on village council.

Village voters will also be asked to fill two seats on village council between newcomer Christopher Berger and incumbents Gerald Canton and Raymond Schloss.

Last year, South Russell’s mayor earned $25,873 per year and council members earned $5,005.

Both positions are each four-year terms.

The 49-year-old Carroll is fire chief for the City of Lyndhurst Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree public safety management (2009) and a master’s degree in public administration with a certificate in urban and city management (2014) — both from Cleveland State University.

He also is a graduate of the Ohio Fire Chief’s Ohio Fire Executive program, as well as a graduate of Cleveland Leadership Centers Bridge Builders program.

Carroll has been involved as an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 150 (2015-2018), a member of Chagrin Valley Jaycees, ex-president and trustee of Bellwood Club (neighborhood association), volunteer with Chagrin Falls Music Lovers (2013-2019), ex-member of the Chagrin Falls After Prom Committee, ex-member of the Chagrin Falls Dads Club and board member of Aluminum Cans for Burned Children.

Koons, age 70, is a retired school teacher/administrator who has been South Russell mayor since 2016. He previously served for 10 years on village council.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree and doctor of philosophy degree from Kent State University. He completed the Cleveland State University Leadership Academy 2015 program.

Koons is past president of the Chagrin Valley Jaycees and Chagrin Valley Rotary, a nine-gallon blood donor, a member of St. Joan of Arc Church, a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer, a Chagrin Documentary Film Fest volunteer, helped implement 21 Boy Scout/Girl Scout projects and started concerts in the park with the Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce.

1. Why are you seeking this position?

Carroll

I am seeking the position of mayor for the Village of South Russell as I would bring a more cooperative and transparent vision to the position. I would seek input from all of council and attempt to seek consensus on issues that impact the residents of South Russell.

I would also address issues directly and concisely in a fiscally responsible manner that maintains the vison of the overall community.

The benefits to the whole community and our residents would be the driver of decision making.

Koons

My life has been about service to the community. During my first term, I helped the village receive over $600,000 in donations and grants for a playground, bridge and two Ohio Environmental Protection Agency storm water grants. I want to implement those grants over the next four years.

2. What personal experiences differentiate you from the other candidate(s) running for this position? Why should someone vote for you rather than your opponent(s)?

Carroll

I have served in the public sector for over 30 years, working with local, regional, county and state officials over my career. I have focused my education and experiences on enhancing my skills and ability to serve the public. I have experience in budget development and implementation, grant writing, regional collaboration, public sector personnel management. I will serve the office in a cooperative, transparent and ethical manner while improving collaborative solutions with our neighboring communities.

Koons

I have been able to get the community behind my efforts to make life better for the all residents. Storm water may be a big problem for some residents and not for others. I have been able to work with council to secure funding to reduce the storm water damage to our residents’ property.

Residents respect my common-sense approach to problem solving; no theatrics, just straight forward examination of the facts and a sensible decision.

3. What are your short-term and long-term strategic plans for your village?

Carroll

My short-term plan includes continuing to address our storm water run-off issues. While the village has started on our few projects, there are other areas of concern that need to be addressed. All options need to be explored prior to making a decision on a storm water issue.  While the availability of grants assists with these projects; choosing a solution based solely on the availability of grants may not be the best solution.

Another short-term plan would be getting caught up on our road program. The village passed a road levy a few years ago with the intent of continuing to improve the roads without negatively impacting other programs or department needs. Bell Road East of state Route 306 will be a major undertaking by the village and will need to be properly funded to be completed timely.

Lastly, updating our zoning codes need to be addressed as several recent projects have slipped through zoning regulations. Zoning code improvements would help prevent future projects from getting through that don’t fit into the vision and fabric of the community.

A long-term plan would be developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the South Russell Village Park. Many great projects have already been completed in the park, but it is imperative that future projects fit into a overall strategic plan. The park is one of the best attributes of the community, having a long-term plan for the park is imperative.

Koons

1. Create a strategic plan, “20-20 Vision for 2030,” to help guide our village for the next 10 years.
2. Continue to work with the Chagrin River Watershed Partners and Western Reserve Land Conservancy to protect our land and water resources.
3. Secure a grant from Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency to complete a walking/biking path along Bell Road.
4. By March of 2020, I will have completed the Certified Public Manager program from Cleveland State University.

4. How will you regularly engage your community? How will you keep lines of communication open?

Carroll

Ways I would use to keep the community informed and engaged would be through social media outlets, attending neighborhood association meetings and encouraging community involvement in programs and projects in the community.

I would also seek council input on issues and attempt to build a consensus on solutions that meet the needs of the residents.

Through effective communication with members of the community and with counsel, transparency and cooperation can be better achieved, leading to better government for the community.

Koons

Lines of communication are kept open by attending over 20 neighborhood or homeowners’ association meetings each year, a quarterly newsletter, regular attendance at the SRV Farmers’ Market, making visitors to council meetings feel welcome and respected, and being available for residents when requested.

5. A significant amount of your time will be allocated to council responsibilities, such as planning, zoning, budgeting, re-zonings, land use, economic development, labor negotiations and audit review. Please share with us your experience with, and understanding of, the aforementioned responsibilities.

Carroll

As a member of village council for the last six years, I have served on numerous committees, including human resources, safety, public utilities and the emergency operations planning committees. My current experience on council will enhance my abilities as mayor for the village.

Additionally, through my academic education and professional experiences, I have learned and dealt with budgeting, economic development, labor negotiations and regional collaboration. I also serve as chair of the Cuyahoga County Emergency Services Advisory Board, which has given me broader experience working with many other public agencies, including law enforcement, hospitals, board of health, public works, county and city emergency management, and numerous others.

My professional experiences as a department head and as a current elected official has allowed me to work with a broad range of professionals on projects that enhance public safety and community services. As mayor, I would continue to work on developing my understanding of the village’s needs and shortcomings, and work with council to address them accordingly.

By working as a team and using individual strengths, we can better improve the overall community we serve.

Koons

Council committee work is one of the keys of good government. We channel issues to one of seven committees for initial discussion. Once the committee has an opinion, the issue is brought before council for a decision.

By attending zoning board of appeals, architectural board of review and planning commission meetings, I keep in regular contact with the volunteers who shoulder a responsibility to maintain the standards of our village.

6. What is your ideal relationship with village council members?

Carroll 

My ideal relationship with village council would be one of transparency, collaboration and seeking consensus on issues, while having mutual respect for differing opinions.

I also think it is important to have honest, direct discussions about the hard issues with the understanding that decisions should be based on the community needs; not individual special interest.

The mayor’s position should be one of facilitating good discussions and making sound decisions to better serve our residents. It is a partnership for the betterment of the community.

Koons

The ideal relationship with council is one where ideas and goals are presented in a respectful and competent manner. We must be able to disagree without being disagreeable. Personalities and friendships must be left at the door of council chambers, and decisions must be made based on what is best for the residents. This takes time and honest and open communication.