MANSFIELD — Republicans David Falquette and Dan Hardwick have put their hat in the ring for the upcoming primary election on May 2, both seeking to represent Mansfield’s first ward as a member of city council.
Whoever voters choose will face Democratic candidate John Harsch in November. The victor in the general election race will begin his term Jan. 1, 2018.
Falquette
Falquette, 57, a native of Fremont, has worked in either Mansfield or Ashland since 1983.
He currently is a program manager at TE Connectivity in downtown Mansfield, where he’s been employed for 15 years.
He’s been involved with a local neighborhood watch group for over 10 years.
“I think that’s where I developed my interest for getting involved with politics as far as being a councilman or something to do with the city in an elected capacity,” he said.
During those meetings, he got to know Councilman Mike Hill, who currently holds the first ward seat and is not running for another term because he’s term-limited out.
“(Hill) thought (running for city council) might be a good opportunity for me to expand my opportunities with the City of Mansfield to help people,” Falquette said.
He said he’s very familiar with the police and fire departments, as well as the inner-workings of business, having been involved in manufacturing his entire post-college life.
“I think with that knowledge, I believe I can help craft better legislation to encourage businesses to stay or come to the Mansfield area,” he said.
In addition to maintaining healthy staffing levels within the police and fire departments and making Mansfield an appealing place for businesses to set up shop, Falquette believes it’s important to maintain and improve the city’s park and recreation areas “so that when you have a business come in, the employees want to come to Mansfield to live,” he said.
“It’s a challenge finding employees for certain types of jobs in the area because people would rather be someplace else.”
He’s attended the past several council meetings, spoken with the mayor and other city officials, and has ridden along with a Mansfield police officer in an effort to better understand how the city and its different departments operate.
“I’m just trying to get as close to the city workings and the people that do this job day-in and day-out so that I can better understand and better answer questions as time moves forward,” he said.
Hardwick
Hardwick, 49, grew up in the Lucas area and has been a Mansfield resident for the past 15 years, and another six prior to that.
His experience ranges from working in court systems to sales, as well as local politics.
He currently does in-home consulting for Home Depot Exteriors and owns and operates a supplemental insurance business.
From 2001 to 2005, he served as a Richland County Commissioner. During the 1990s, he was an at-large representative of the Mansfield Charter Review Commission.
“I think it’s an exciting opportunity to work with a great administration and to help move the community forward,” he said in response to why he’s running for city council. “I think there are some really exciting opportunities from development ideas that were started when I was commissioner that could be done.”
While on the board of commissioners, he said money was put toward a “fantastic study” that showed different ideas on how to help grow the Miracle Mile and the downtown.
“I think there are ideas that still need to be implemented, and I hope that I can be a motivational force to get that done,” he said.
He said downtown Mansfield will never experience the growth that is possible until people who are unfamiliar with that area know how to get around, where the parking is, and where the various venues are.
“Until we get that done, we are missing out big time on growing our community,” he said.
If elected, he hopes to be the voice of Mansfield’s first ward, especially with regard to street improvements and snow removal.
He said he brings a “proven history of innovative ideas to solve problems” and referenced a task force he helped create when he was commissioner. The task force’s efforts helped reduced the number of deaths and accidents that have occurred at railroad crossings in the county.
“I think communities need public servants who are able to have a vision that can see problems and find solutions, and I have proven my ability to do that,” he said.
