The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Six campaign for three seats on City Council
Six candidates are competing for three council-atlarge seats in North Ridgeville: Kevin Corcoran, Michelle Hung, Lawrence S. Kamenec II, Jerry D. Armstrong, Martin E. DeVries and Ray E. McLaughlin III.
Corcoran
Corcoran, 59, is a Republican attorney who currently serves as president of council and wraps up 10 years on councilat-large.
The biggest challenge before city leaders remains reaching community goals with reduced funding, Corcoran said in a news release.
“We are fortunate that our city is growing and additional businesses such as Riddell and the University Hospitals Medical Center will provide additional funding that will allow us to meet some of those goals,” Corcoran said. “We must continue our efforts to encourage new businesses to join our community and keep our existing businesses located here.”
Corcoran said he intends to leverage grant money to accomplish more than the city could on its own.
He said voters should reelect him because of his leadership, accomplishments and professionalism.
Hung
Hung, 47, seeks a council at-large seat as a Republican who retired from a position of inventory management for Motorcars Honda, she said in a news release.
Hung indicated she has not won an elected office before.
However, Hung served as Lorain County co-chair for the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump, she indicated.
Hung thinks with economic growth, the city needs to expand wisely.
“We have existing areas for growth in our town, and I would like to assist in planning that shows we thought out what our city will look like in the future,” she said in the release, adding she supports safety services and prioritizing road repairs according to those most in need.
“I think that will help attract new families to our community and keep existing
families here that have been here for decades,” Hung said. “We need to make sure we are listening to the needs of our constituents. I am committed to keeping the small town feel of our community while being able to attract business for controlled growth.”
Kamenec
Kamenec 42, is a Democrat seeking his first elected position.
Kamenec indicated in a news release the city needs a new master plan to ensure development happens with full consideration of effects on the rest of the city to avoid crowded roads and outdated infrastructure.
“I would work to rebuild and expand city services to meet the needs of our growing population,” Kamenec said.
“Many public buildings such as our city hall, police station and fire stations have not grown and expanded at a rate anywhere near the rate of our city’s population.
“Our facilities still resemble a small town’s services in a large suburban city.”
Proper business expansion would include new or revised zoning “done responsibly” to preserve quality of life for residents while growing the tax base, Kamenec said, adding his experience as a project or program manager helps him view a bigger picture with multiple stakeholders on every endeavor.
Kamenec said he has served as treasurer for North Ridgeville Democratic Party, and as chair of campaigns and elections for North Ridgeville Democratic Party.
Armstrong, DeVries and McLaughlin did not respond to requests for information.