Getting involved: Tom Klingaman wants younger people to become active in Zoar
ZOAR ‒ One of the top goals of the next mayor of Zoar is to bring new people with new ideas into village government.
"There's a real lack of community involvement as far as the politics go," said Tom Klingaman, who was elected mayor in November. "That's one of my goals, to get people more involved with the politics of the town. Over the last five years, we have gotten a lot younger. There're kids here now. There're young families here now. We have young people moving in all the time, and that's one of my goals, to get them more involved."
He said it is sometimes difficult to fill seats on council.
Klingaman will take office in January as mayor of the historic village, which was founded in 1817 by German religious dissenters. Zoar was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2016 by the U.S. Department of the Interior because it is a place that possesses exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.
The town currently has a population of around 170.
More: on village Zoar celebrates National Historic Landmark designation at Maifest
His other goals include turning the old fire station on East Fifth Street into a community center so it will become something that residents can be proud of, while also generating some income for the village. A new kitchen was recently installed in the building. It is now available to rent for birthday parties and other events.
More on fire station: Where's the kitchen sink? Zoar officials question whereabouts of fire station equipment
Village council also holds its meetings in the building.
Other priorities include upgrading Zoar's storm sewer system and adding parking in the village.
Native of North Canton
Klingaman and his wife, Kim, are natives of North Canton. They lived for some time at Atwood Lake, but after his wife got a job with the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection), which owns many of the historic buildings in town, "she fell in love with the place."
He is a retired sheet metal worker, having worked through Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 for 35 years.
He and his wife have owned three houses in Zoar. They buy a property, restore it and then move on to the next one. Three generations of their family now live in the village.
"I like the history. I love the old homes. When you own one of these homes, it's a part-time job," Klingaman said.
He was full of praise for current Mayor Scott Gordon, who has held the office since 2015. "Scott will be a tough act to follow. He works tirelessly in the village. He's done an excellent job. He's accomplished a lot, in my opinion."
Need for volunteers
Klingaman said there is always a need for volunteers to help at the historic sites around town.
"It's a small village, but there's a lot of work, simply because of the age of it and the history of it. We get a lot of visitors," he said.
He noted that many people come to the Zoar Garden in the center of town to get senior pictures, engagements, weddings and prom photos taken.
"Come and help us out," Klingaman said.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8414 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: New mayor Tom Klingaman wants younger people to become active in Zoar
