Salem mayor candidates are similar

Neither candidate mentioned the defunct Quaker
Community Fire District.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

SALEM — Democrat mayoral candidate Clyde Brown wants “transparent” government while Republican Jerry Wolford is stressing economic development.

Brown is also stressing economic development, and Wolford is also stressing improved communication with industries and businesses in the city.

Brown, a retired retail manager and salesman, is in his first term as a councilman.

Wolford, a barber and businessman, served as a city councilman for six years and is in his 13th year as a Perry Township trustee.

The two men graduated from Salem High School, Brown in 1956, Wolford in 1957.

And the two candidates have similar platforms.

Brown said, “Those in city hall have to be aware of the concerns and hopes of all those making up the city of Salem. The citizens have the right to know how their tax dollars are spent before reading it in the paper. This all comes down to communication and leadership. As mayor, I will keep in contact with the employers through regular visits to their offices. I want to know if there is a problem brewing before it happens, and if they [the employers] have ideas for the future of Salem, I want to hear them. Everyone has to work together to move ahead, and I am running to lead the way.”

Brown added, “As a member of city council and as a concerned citizen, I went to Columbus, at my own expense, to ask for help to halt our economic development decline. I have the lines of communication open with the Ohio Department of Development.”

He said there are a variety of economic development programs that could fund projects in the city.

Brown said that the city needed to fight a growing drug problem in the city with programs to share information and start a “Neighborhood Drug Watch Area” committee.

Wolford said he had a three-part program: economic recovery and development, pride in Salem and fighting crime.

“I will work to retain our current economic base and promote Salem in the marketplace through trade shows, media and an active role in networking with county, state and national economic contacts for Salem’s future. I will work to bring people and groups together for a united Salem,” Wolford said. He calls that part of the plan “Partners in Progress.”

The second part, “Partners in Progress,” would focus on cleaning up some areas in Salem.

The third part calls for creating a Crime Watch program in the city and township.

Wolford said, “I will begin open dialogue with industrial and commercial businesses through monthly meetings. How they are doing and what I can do to help as mayor,” he said.

Both have been active in trying to create jobs. Brown was the first in the area to pitch the area as a site for a new Rolls-Royce engine facility. Wolford is working on the economic development committee of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce’s long-range plan for the city. The plan is being guided by Ohio State University’s Cooperative Extension Service.

Neither Brown nor Wolford mentioned what, if any, effect the defunct Quaker Community Fire District would have on the race.

In 2005, council wanted to create the district by eliminating the city fire department and creating a new fire district with Perry Township. Voters put issues on the ballot and approved them to block the move. Council repealed the issues. The State Employment Relations Board later ruled the city couldn’t dissolve its fire department.

Brown was elected to council in the wake of the ruling, along with two other at-large council members and a president of council. In this year’s primary, three ward council members who favored the fire district were defeated. The fourth councilman, Greg Oesch, who was unopposed in May, then decided not to run. Republican Rita Joseph O’Leary replaced him as the 3rd Ward candidate against Democrat Nancy Tullis.

In the 1st Ward race, Democrat newcomer Daniel D. Nye, a businessman who has been active in promoting tourism in the city, will be challenged by Dave Nestic, a consultant who has coordinated business seminars.

Democrats Dennis A. Groves won the 2nd Ward seat in the primary, while Mary Ann Dzuracky won the 4th Ward seat. They’re unopposed in the general election.

In the city’s auditor’s race, veteran Republican James Armeni is being challenged by Diana L. Mahouski.

Gregory A. Shaffer of Salem is running for the mayor’s office as a write-in candidate.

wilkinson@vindy.com