EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was authored by Hannah Martin.
ONTARIO — Adam Gongwer is no stranger to the City of Ontario, but he is getting used to a new position.
The former police officer and zoning inspector recently accepted the role of the city’s new service safety director.
“While working as both a police officer and zoning inspector for the City of Ontario, I worked with several Service Safety Directors and all were professional and had great leadership qualities,” Gongwer said.
“I wanted to continue that tradition for the city.”
Mayor Kris Knapp, the former service safety director, said he interviewed about eight applicants for the job.
“I’ve known Adam for over 20 years. We worked with each other when he was the school resource officer and I was a teacher,” Knapp said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge as a previous police officer, zoning inspector and current Lexington council president.
“Everyone who’s had the chance to interact with him has commented on his overall demeanor and personality. He’s an outstanding individual.
“That is a position that the mayor needs to have 100-percent confidence in, and I do. I’m very excited for what he’s going to bring to our city.”
Gongwer said he plans to resign from his position as a Lexington Village Council member when he and his wife move to Ontario. He hopes to give one to two months notice before resigning from Lexington council.
“As long as I still live in Lexington, I plan to continue serving on council, but we’ll be moving to Ontario within six months,” Gongwer said.
His past roles in the Ontario community have been great ways to prepare him for this new endeavor, he said.
The different positions he took while working in the police department allowed him to gain experience and make connections with people that would help him succeed in this role.
“My previous experiences as a Lexington village councilman, preacher, and volunteer for the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society all helped satisfy my interest in giving back to the community,” he said.
Gongwer will now oversee the supervisors for the police department, parks, water/sewer, and street departments.
Gongwer will also be a resource and solution-finder for any problems that may arise within the city. These include but are not limited to citizen complaints, zoning concerns, traffic congestion, and negotiating contracts with city employees.
Gongwer also was previously in charge of the police and city websites, as well as social media. In addition, he helped design the monument near the clock tower and city emblem.
“I will look for ways to decrease pain points within the city and increase reasons to visit our parks, businesses, and school events,” he said. “Ontario is a wonderful place to live, work and visit.”
Gongwer said he has a number of ideas and projects moving forward that he hopes to put in place. He also wants to continues to honor the policies put in place by former Mayor Randy Hutchinson and current Mayor Kris Knapp.
“I will continue to serve all employees with respect and listen to their concerns,” Gongwer said
As for the future of Ontario, Gongwer said he would like to see more growth and development in the city.
“I would love to see the City grow north and encompass more of the OSU/NCSC campus area,” he said.
“Those two institutions are drawing in over a thousand young people annually, and with that comes creativity, innovation, and inspiration.”
In the future, Gongwer hopes more job opportunities will become available in the Ontario community.
“I am hopeful that more technology and internet-based jobs will come to the city with the proposed Fiber Optic line installation along U.S. Route 30,” he said.