Three candidates vie to become next Willoughby mayor

Three candidates are doing battle in the Nov. 7 election to become the next mayor of Willoughby.

Jeffrey Black, Bob Fiala and Albert Purola are all aiming to succeed retiring Mayor David Anderson, who led the city for more than 25 years.

As of Oct. 16, there were 16,251 registered voters in Willoughby eligible to decide who wins a four-year term as mayor, according to the Lake County Elections Board.

Black

Black, an attorney and Willoughby City Council member, has lived in the city for 59 years. He has served as chairman of the Willoughby City Council Safety Committee; a member of the Willoughby Charter Review Committee; Lake County Bar Association trustee; and former vice president of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.

He has also been involved in Willoughby sports as a baseball coach.

If elected, Black plans to increase residential property values by enforcing current zoning regulations, enacting new inspection regulations and providing investment and/or improvement tax incentives. He also plans to maintain what he calls the vibrancy of the downtown area by continuing the growth of residential opportunities and stopping the issuance new liquor licenses.

In addition, he plans to maintain and increase manufacturing in the city by providing tax incentives to companies looking to expand in or relocate to Willoughby. Black feels this will provide much-needed income for city services.

“I have been working with Mayor Anderson as councilman at-large for 17 years. I have been part of the revitalization of the city and look to continue the momentum we have generated over that time,” Black said. “I am also prepared to direct a smooth transition from Mayor Anderson, the retirement of three to four directors and the influx of up to four new councilmen. We will need someone who understands the city and can maintain the stability we have established.”

Fiala

Fiala is an architect who has lived in the city for 40 years. He has served on the Willoughby Planning Commission, Sign Review Board and Airport Planning Commission. He also has been involved with the Third Federal Foundation, Lake Health Foundation, Lake County Economic Development Council, Willoughby-Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce as an adviser, Willoughby Rotary and the Downtown Willoughby Organization.

“I have crafted a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to this issue. I call it Envision 4.0,” Fiala said. “It is a community-wide effort at reinvention. This plan has been developed to grow property values and maintain the historic character of our community.”

Fiala’s plan targets three specific areas of focus: the rebranding of downtown Willoughby as an arts and entertainment district that will combine family activities and art with what he describes as a thoughtful entertainment component; a strategic plan for growth in Willoughby’s North End, also known as the Gateway District, including building on recent investments made by commercial property owners; and helping homeowners develop strategies to increase their residential land values. He feels that his position as a planner and architect makes him uniquely qualified to accomplish these goals.

He also plans to provide better access to natural resources, such as the Chagrin River and Lake Erie.

Fiala has been a public servant for more than 28 years and has helped craft the city’s master plan along with two updates to the plan. He has participated in the construction of a new courthouse, fire station and swimming pool, and was involved in the renovation of another swimming pool, fire station and City Hall.

“I’ve invested considerable time as a member and trustee of many civic organizations dedicated to improving our community. Also, I have the business experience and success, driven by recruitment of extraordinary talent, to fill important city positions that will soon be vacant,” Fiala said. “Finally, I have the leadership skill, business acumen and temperament to be the mayor of Willoughby.”

Purola

Purola, a lifetime resident of Willoughby, has served as president of the Lake County Bar Association and on the State Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

If elected, Purola said he wants “to make sure the significant new population feels like it can be amalgamated into the culture of the city we love.” He also thinks a worthwhile goal would be to connect the northern portion of town to downtown. He states a far-out thought might be to imagine a light rail line from Routes 91 and 20 to Lake Shore and Lost Nation.

“The answer is simple, significant, management experience,” he said. “Being mayor is not a political beauty contest; it is chief executive of a nottoo-small company. That is why it is a full-time job by city charter.”

Purola equates his experience with running and managing the complete operation of the Pine Ridge Country Club to the position and states “this background is not unlike what the mayor faces, police, fire, services, finance, etc.”

“It is well to note the next mayor will likely have vacancies to fill immediately in service, finance and law,” Purola said. “This will require good judgment.”