Sushi, Disney and Austintown – a perfect fit

Joe Koch Jr.

Age: 23

Family: Single. Parents are lifelong residents of Austintown. Extended family primarily located in Northeast Ohio.

Education: Austintown Fitch, Class of 2009. Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Kent State University

Groups: Baseball for the Kent State University Golden Flashes for five years. Volunteer at the Koch Fields baseball complex on Raccoon Road in Austintown.

Q. What do you like best about living in your town?

A. The best feature of Austintown is our close proximity to large metropolitan areas like Cleveland and Pittsburgh but far enough away to have the benefits of a smaller community.

Q. What one thing would you add to your town if money was not an issue?

A. If money was no issue I would add a Disney World theme park to Austintown.

Q. Describe the last community event you went to:

A. I was recently at an Austintown Board of Education meeting. It was neat to see people voice their opinions and concerns for the school system’s welfare.

Q. If there was a store or business to add to your town, which would you like it to be?

A. A Japanese Hibachi or a Sushi restaurant would be a great addition to Austintown. We have to go to Boardman or Niles to get that kind of food.

Q. If you could name a street after someone, who would it be?

A. I’d name a road after my first dog, Sable. She was very special to me.

Q. Where is your favorite place in town to go for a little hide-away time or bite to eat?

A. The Upstairs Lounge is perfect for the unique food and atmosphere. Also it is neat knowing it is the place my parents met.

Q. What one place would you direct an outsider to visit to experience your town?

A. The Austintown portion of the Metroparks Bike Trail is a must-see. Not only will you be able to see the beauty of our town, but you can get a great workout, too.

Q. Is there a song, book or movie that you hear or see and say “They’re describing me!”

A. “Forever in Blue Jeans”- Neil Diamond