Raspanti brings new perspective to council

Photo by: Submitted photo

Photo

David Raspanti officially became a voting member of the village council on Jan. 1. He is pictured here with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Vincent.

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

aluthern@vindy.com

(Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series about new government officials in Poland.)

David Raspanti was sworn in as a village council member Dec. 15, but he officially became a voting member Jan 1.

Raspanti, the owner of Rockwood Painting Contractors in Poland, said he will make fiscal responsibility his top priority this year.

“As a small business owner, I’ll be bringing a small business perspective to the financial process,” he said.

Raspanti won the November election, beating incumbent Marc Cossette to take one of the four available village council seats.

“There’s a dynamic that I bring to the table as a young family man, not to alienate the older folks,” he said. “Obviously, the older folks have a lot of wisdom, and maybe I can put some energy behind their wisdom.”

Raspanti added that he would like to see continued partnerships among community groups.

“My overall goal is to improve quality of life here through low-cost partnerships with group like Town One Streetscapes, Poland schools, Poland Township and the library system,” he said.

Even with an emphasis on finances and partnerships, Raspanti said basic services need to be met first.

“The biggest issue on our plate would be our under-sized storm sewer system,” he said. “Clearly, it is a problem throughout the area.”

Poland has many great assets, too, Raspanti said. He cited the fact that it’s a “walkable” community and the two “jewels” that Poland has in the school system and the library.

“I greatly appreciate the vote of the residents and I look forward to serving them,” he said.