My ambition to get involved in Public Office goes back to my experience as a teenage volunteer on a family member’s Congressional Campaign.

Then about seven years ago I took a step toward this ambition when I changed careers to enable a return to Sylvania Ohio.  At the same time I married and started a family and Sylvania has indeed become home.

Prior to my decision in fall of 2005 to run for Council, I was entertaining an employment offer to join a $1 Billion start-up company in Columbus MS.  I instead chose to maintain a Consulting role as their Director of Marketing so that I could run for elected office.

Since earning this Council seat, my client has continued to lobby my joining the management team in MS.  I have declined each time based on:

• my commitment to this Community as a Councilmember
• and second, and as important, my commitment to my wife Megan, that her career is equally important as mine.

My wife has been approached by International Paper Company with an opportunity in their Memphis, Tennessee headquarters.  It is, therefore, with heavy heart that I resign my position on Council effective March 1 so that I can continue to support my wife’s professional development.

This decision has been extremely difficult.  I have enjoyed serving my community and am proud of my record.  You may recall the issues I discussed while campaigning; lowering taxes, improved government planning, better fiscal planning, and open government.  These measures were accomplished in 2006 due to my efforts and the efforts of other forward thinking council members.

Sylvania is on the brink of re-creating itself.  I am excited about its future if our citizens continue to embrace new ideas and elect representatives who think independently and not go-along to get-along.  Diversity of opinion and constructive debate will move this city forward.

In the next 30 days we should complete the Visioning process that I championed as well as other key initiatives such as improving government accessibility, Gateway and Center Business District planning.  Serious community discussions regarding a township and city merger will also occur.  I am proud to see the community embracing these building blocks for the future.

I thank my fellow members of Council, the Mayor, the Administration, and the City employees for helping me learn and grow as a Council member.  Most of all I want to thank the citizens of Sylvania for believing in me, giving me the privilege to serve you and I genuinely apologize it is ending so soon.
 

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