MANSFIELD, Ohio — Mansfield voters will decide on their law director and three seats on city council — in addition to the mayor’s race — on the November ballot.
Democrat John Spon, the incumbent, is challenged by Republican David Remy in the law director’s duel.
Democratic incumbent Phil Scott is facing Republican Mike Hill in the council president’s race.
Republican incumbent Jeff Rock is running against Democratic candidate Norval Blackwell for second ward councilmember.
Democratic incumbent Garnetta Pender is challenged by Republican Michael Mount for sixth ward councilmember seat.
Law Director
David Remy: Prior to working in his current post as the city’s director of human resources, Remy worked in the law director’s office from 1993 through 2011, first as head of the criminal division and later as law director for 10 years.
He wants to serve as law director again because he believes there is “a lack of commitment or dedication by the current law director to the job,” he said.
Remy vows to bring impartiality and fairness to the job, as well as years of experience and the ability to work with people.
If elected, he hopes “to bring back some confidence and trust in the law department, to let the administration and people know that there is someone there to answer their questions and be able to give them advice and opinions in a timely fashion.”
John Spon: Law director since 2011, Spon was a civil and criminal trial attorney for 42 years, assistant county prosecutor for 16 years and assistant law director for three years.
“I’m running for reelection because I want to maximize my many years of experience in public service to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people, he said.
“I bring decades of trial experience, both in civil and criminal areas. Also, I have special expertise as an appellate lawyer because I was the chief appellate prosecutor for the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office for four years.
“My number one goal is to continue to fight to protect the citizens of Mansfield from toxic waste dumping and to continue to fight to protect our citizens’ home values and family health.”
Council President
Mike Hill: Currently serving as first ward councilman, Hill has close to 20 years of experience on Mansfield City Council.
A retired systems analyst/programmer with MedCentral Health System, Hill said he desires to serve the people of Mansfield.
“And for me to continue my service to the community, I either have to run for another seat, which is what I’m doing, or just pack it up and go home,” he said.
He would like to help foster growth of the downtown, encourage more businesses to come to the area and increase the local workforce.
“My main goal is when I get requests from constituents to act promptly and effectively. I think with my years on council that I’ve got the expertise to do a good job as council president.”
Phil Scott: Scott is nearing the end of his second term on Mansfield City Council. He worked in the Richland County Clerk of Court’s Office for 30 years.
“I feel I bring leadership to the position that’s needed to run council,” he said.
As council president, he said he allows all voices to be heard, whether members of council or members of the public.
“I give the public plenty of time to comment and voice their concerns,” he said. “I want to continue to serve and see what we can do to bring Mansfield back to the city that I knew growing up.”
Second Ward
Norval Blackwell: A real estate agent with Haring Realty, Blackwell previously worked at the former General Motors plant for 33 years and has served on several boards in the area, including the Advantage Credit Union board for nine years, spending five years as board president.
He said he felt prompted to run for city councilman based on “the lack of representation we have right now [in the second ward].
“My number one goal is to represent the people.”
Additionally, he would like to enhance the quality of early education.
“The more we can help with education, help collaborate with Mansfield City Schools and other organizations, the better,” he said.
Jeff Rock: Rock was first elected to Mansfield City Council in 2007. He works as a quality control technician.
He said one of his fortes is communication, which is crucial when serving on council, he said.
“I think you have to be able to communicate with others to find out what the problem is and then relay that information,” he said.
He would like to help departments that suffered during fiscal emergency, such as the police and fire departments, by “getting them back up to the levels where they used to be,” he said.
“We just got out of fiscal emergency and I’d like to see us continue to move forward,” he said.
Sixth Ward
Michael Mount: A carpenter by trade, Mount wants to ensure the city is accountable to the residents in his ward and that their voices are heard.
He believes his youth, creativity and enthusiasm are some of the strengths he’d bring council.
“I have fresh ideas,” he said.
One of his priorities is promoting the efficient use tax dollars. He also would like to explore creative options to address blight, among other issues in the community.
Garnetta Pender: Pender has served on council for the past four years. She is retired from the Richland County Board of Elections where she worked for 22 years.
“I think there are still things I’d like to see accomplished in the City of Mansfield, and I would like to be a part of that. I think I could help with that process,” she said.
She said her experience on council is one her strengths.
“You really have to be a part of something to understand it.”
Her goals include making sure the city stays within its budget, promoting safety and helping the youth prepare for their futures as successful members of society.
