Candidates tout plans for safety, fiscal efficiency in five-way Twinsburg mayoral race
Twinsburg voters have no shortage of candidates for mayor to choose from in the upcoming general election Nov. 8.
Five candidates are on the fall ballot, which is for the unexpired mayoral term. The city's former mayor, Ted Yates, announced in the spring that he was resigning to accept the village manager’s position in Islamorada, Fla.
The candidates include Sam Scaffide, who was the City Council president before becoming interim mayor upon Yates' departure; at-large Councilman Bill Furey; former Councilman and retired police officer Brian Steele; local businessman Ronald Fruscella, who also serves as a school resource officer; and John M. Porter.
The winner in November would complete the unexpired term of Yates, which starts December 1, 2022. The election for a four-year term would take place in November 2023, according to the city's charter.
Scaffide, who was sworn in as acting mayor July 1, had previously served as the Ward 1 representative for the city, a position he first stepped into in 2002. He also served as the service director for both Glenwillow, a village in southeast Cuyahoga County, and for Reminderville. He also has worked for Brunswick, Bedford Heights and the Summit County Engineer's office. On his website, Scaffide lists one of his top priorities as improving transparency and communication between city officials and the city's residents.
Furey, who has served on Twinsburg City Council for 19 years, works for Arrow Electronics and has been in the electronic distribution department for 35 years in various sales, marketing, and management positions. In addition to his time on City Council, Furey has served on the Twinsburg's Parks and Recreation Commission and Cable 9 Board for six years before his first election to Council in 2003. On his website, Furey said he would focus on finding cost savings and efficiencies while continuing to provide services to the residents.
Steele, who represented Ward 2 on Council from 2015 through 2019, served for 31 years as a police officer — most of those years in Twinsburg. He and his wife also operate a travel agency and a real estate investment company. On his website, Steele said his priorities are to emphasize fiscal responsibility as well as protect and maintain safety services and other services provided by the city.
Fruscella has been a school resource officer at Twinsburg High School for about 20 years, although he said he has taken a leave of absence to campaign. He also has owned a business in Twinsburg for more than 10 years. In addition, has coached varsity sports including boys and girls bowling, boys and girls golf and softball. He Rcurrently serves as an assistant varsity coach for the baseball team. On his website, Fruscella says his priorities are to ensure that safety services remain local and to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Porter served eight years as military police officer and is currently a certified occupational safety and health supervisor. He worked in the city's service department for nine years. Porter also has coached the Twinsburg Youth Softball League. He stated in his informational flier that safety will be a priority, and he planned to clean up the city's parks and playgrounds. Porter said he also wanted to emphasize transparency and wants to attend to the needs of Twinsburg's senior citizens.
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Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Five candidates running for unexpired Twinsburg mayoral term
