MANSFIELD — A familiar face with a track record of elected service. A newcomer with different ideas seeking his first elected office.
The contrast between Phillip Scott and Joel Vega in the Democratic primary race on May 7 for a Mansfield City Council At-Large seat could not be more clear.
An at-large council member represents the entire City of Mansfield.
The winner of the primary will take on current 1st Ward Republican Councilman David Falquette in November. Falquette is unopposed in his party’s primary.
Vega, in his first run for public office, is the artistic director at the non-profit Mid-Ohio Opera in Mansfield. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance and has taught as an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University-Mansfield and other area colleges.
Scott has been Mansfield City Council president for 12 years (2007-2019) and is being forced from office due to term limits. The Shelby High School graduate also served 17 years (1987-2004) as the elected Richland County Clerk of Courts.
Vega said the needed change in Mansfield government is generational.
“The economy is completely different and our residents are demanding different approaches to city life and services,” Vega said. “I’ve experienced this myself since moving back (to Mansfield) in 2012. I saw a strong disconnect and decided to get involved.”
The 655 Gilbert Ave. resident said the top issues in the campaign are:
— supporting local entrepreneurs to diversify the local economy.
“We have to move past just focusing on healthcare, jails and the former large manufacturers. For example, the more hospitals we have, the larger the chances that a very large portion of our population will be thrown out of work once the baby boomer age bubble finishes. We must develop programs like a city arts and business incubator that focuses on the new economy jobs and tourism. We have the large spaces, let’s use them,” Vega said.
— creating incentives for either renovation, or resale, of downtown livable space to those who will develop it.
“We have quite a concentration of old empty buildings, or buildings with upper level livable space that is sitting undeveloped that are owned bu a small handful of landlords. I would develop incentives to have them develop them, or encourage the owners to sell to folks that will develop downtown living,” Vega said.
— actively promoting Mansfield as a hub for “new economy” jobs.
“Mansfield is the single best distribution hub in the nation, according to a study done for Gorman-Rupp just a few years ago. With that and the low cost of living, I assume it’s a failure of council and (mayor) to promote it properly outside of the area and to the entrepreneurs here in Mansfield. I would craft legislation to create committees tasked with city promotion. I would travel myself to other cities and companies to promote our city and its undeniable assets. We need wind power manufacturing and urban aquaculture, to name two,” Vega said.
The 40-year-old Vega said his outlook and age is much closer than the 64-year-old Scott’s to local residents who are finishing college or beginning businesses or families in Mansfield.
“My son is currently in the (Mansfield City Schools) system and I’d like to create the conditions for him to be happy when he’s done with school to move back,” Vega said.
“I was raised here, moved away and then moved back by choice” said the Madison High School graduate. “I have recently seen what works and what doesn’t in the other cities I’ve lived in across the country.”
Scott, who said he is retired while working part-time for Buckeye Vault/Buckeye Livery, said he believes his knowledge and experience differentiate him from his opponent.
“I know many of the issues that are before the city,” said the 1196 Devonwood Road resident. “I will be accountable to the citizens in their concerns that they can reach out to.”
The city went into fiscal emergency one year after Scott became president of City Council and didn’t emerge until 2014. He said he is worried it may be headed back to fiscal difficulties.
“We need to continue to look for job growth in the city and keep spending in line so we don’t face the possibility of going into fiscal emergency like we did in 2008,” Scott said.
Scott said he supports the ideas put forth in the Mansfield Rising downtown redevelopment plan.
“As a city, we need to do all that we can to see that the Mansfield Rising project can reach its fullest potential so we can have a growth in the city, not just the downtown area,” he said.
