LORDSTOWN Mayor faces newcomer in bid for re-election

Three candidates are vying for the village clerk position.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Candidates for mayor and council are looking toward growth and development.
Arno A. Hill, mayor for 12 years, points to his accomplishments in bringing residential and business development to town.
"In the last 12 years, there have been 181 building permits issued for residential housing and seven permits issued for duplexes with a valuation of $22,112,275," he notes in campaign literature. "Commercial and industrial permits number 58 with a property valuation of $27,010,416."
While highlighting the growth and improvement in services, Hill also notes his dedication to help Lordstown and its residents retain the "rural flair" they've come to appreciate.
Hill's challenger, political newcomer Michael A. Chaffee, says that while he's never held office, he comes from a very politically active family and has always been intrigued by politics.
His 21 years of experience as an English teacher and coach would translate well in the job of mayor.
"I believe I get the most out of the people I deal with," he says. "It's my job to make people perform better. I believe this will naturally apply to the residents, businesses and employees of the village of Lordstown."
Chaffee pledges to work aggressively to attract businesses to stabilize the tax base, specifically targeting those businesses that would be a "good fit" for Lordstown.
Council
Five candidates -- including two current and two former representatives -- are looking to fill two council seats up for grabs.
Daniel Cuckovich and William Dray are looking for re-election after serving eight and four years, respectively.
Finance committee chairman Cuckovich sees the budget as a major issue. Though General Motors will stay, downsizing at the complex will cut the tax base considerably.
"We will have to develop a cost-effective way to maintain the village with a considerably lower budget," he said. "This will be the challenge in the upcoming term."
Dray agrees, noting it's important the village "continue to encourage new businesses and industry through a strong promotional program" and more.
Dray wants to continue working on smaller projects, including the village's beautification program, building more sidewalks near schools and completing the cemetery expansion.
Stanley Czeck, who served one four-year term on council in the late 1990s, is eyeing a number of issues, including addressing the controversy on Lafarge North America on Newton Falls-Bailey Road. He also wants council to return to a later meeting time.
Another former council member, Mary Jane Wilson, who served from 1979 to 1990, when she ran for mayor, wants to restrict dumps and dumping in the village, as well as to aggressively work for the completion of the water and sewer projects.
Michael F. Sullivan, who is retired from GM, is looking to get elected to his first term as a councilman after six years as a precinct committee person.
Sullivan pledges to help residents have more involvement in council decisions and to work to bring jobs in to offset those lost through downsizing at GM.
Clerk
Three candidates will square off for village clerk.
Judith Hall, who's held the job since 1988 after 10 years as deputy clerk, says she enjoys her work and will continue to check into plans that can save the taxpayers money.
Councilwoman Karen Jones, who's served on council since 1994, wants the clerk job, citing her professional experience as executive director for LifeLines Missions and pledging to extend office hours to meet the needs of the public.
Ruth Ann Horvath looks to move from clerk for the water department to village clerk. She touts her 20 years experience as sole clerk of the water department as a major qualification.
Her goal is to maintain good communication between the residents and local government.