Shane Gunnoe touts experience in government in run for mayor

DOVER ‒ Shane Gunnoe says that if he is elected mayor of Dover, he wants to move the community forward in a positive manner after two years of turmoil.

Gunnoe, who has been leading the city for nearly a year as mayor, is seeking the Republican nomination in the May 2 primary to run for a full term as mayor in the November general election.

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"With my past experience in city government as well as my private business background for over 18 years working at a small business and with small businesses, I think I'm uniquely positioned to lead the city going forward in a very positive way, putting the past behind us and moving our community forward," he said.

How Gunnoe came to hold the office

Gunnoe, 40, was appointed interim mayor in May 2022 after former Mayor Richard Homrighausen was suspended from office by a three-judge panel appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court. Homrighausen had been indicted by the grand jury in March 2022 on theft in office charges. After Homrighausen was convicted and sentenced on those charges, Gunnoe was named mayor by the Dover Republican Central Committee in February to fill out the remainder of Homrighausen's term, which expires Dec. 31.

Gunnoe's opponent on the May ballot is Nicholas Homrighausen, Richard's son.

Gunnoe served as Ward 2 council member from 2008 to 2014 and council president from 2014 to 2022. He was an unsuccessful candidate for county commissioner in 2012 and for the Republican nomination for state representative in 2018.

The 2001 graduate of Dover High School graduated from Capital University with a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science. He took additional classes at the Akron University School of Law.

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The position of mayor pays $103,056.04 annually.

Accomplishments while in office

"I've made it a priority to work to restore integrity to the mayor's office, since both my appointment as interim mayor and then the appointment by the Republican Central Committee to fill the remainder of the term," Gunnoe said.

"We have a tremendous amount of opportunities that are starting to occur in the city. The north end proposed industry park has seen a number of businesses express strong interest in that site, and I have every reason to believe that will lead to more and better paying jobs for the community.

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"We have interest from a number of residential housing developers. The need for affordable, quality housing in the community has continued to grow."

Gunnoe noted that during his time as interim mayor and mayor:

• Water rates were reduced by $600,000 for city residents last year.

• The city invested $1.5 million into the municipal light plant.

• The city spent a record amount in 2022 on street paving and Gunnoe said he hopes the city can do the same this year.

Concern over mounting legal fees

Dover officials have drawn criticism for the amount of money they have spent on outside legal counsel to investigate the activities of the former mayor in 2021, on lawsuits filed by Homrighausen against the city and defending itself from a lawsuit filed by Dover Chemical Corp.

An anonymous flyer circulating in Dover recently notes that the city has spent more than $600,000 in legal fees to the Cleveland law firm of Ulmer & Berne as of Jan. 31, including $317,000 for the Dover Chemical suit from September 2020 to January 2023.

Dover Chemical filed the suit in an effort to block enforcement of an ordinance passed by Dover City Council that would require the company to pay a surcharge on any electricity it uses over 100,000 kilowatt hours per month. The case is ongoing.

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"The taxpayers of Dover have to be protected," Gunnoe said. "They have to be made whole. Unfortunately that requires legal representation to ensure we're adequately protected."

Money collected from the surcharge is going into an escrow account. He estimated that it amounts to about $1.1 million currently. If the city prevails in the lawsuit, that money will go to the city. Gunnoe said that amount is about three times what Dover has spent on legal fees in the case.

"If there is an opportunity to negotiate a settlement, I would like to," he said. "With that said, city officials, their primary concern has to be to defend the taxpayers of the city of Dover. I would like to see a resolution to that matter, but one that is fair to the residents and the people of the city of Dover."

Council President Justin Perkowski, a fellow Republican, supports Gunnoe for mayor.

"Since taking office Shane has been accountable, reliable and approachable. His knowledge of the city and working relationships with administrators, employees, and council make him the best choice to lead Dover," Perkowski said.

Added Councilman Kevin Korns, "Mayor Gunnoe is a strong leader, who cares deeply about the city of Dover and its residents. He believes in transparency of government. He led the city as city council president through the pandemic years. Since he has been mayor, Dover has seen new businesses opening up in our city which will provide new jobs and income. He has also received many inquires from businesses that would like to locate to Dover.

"Mayor Gunnoe is committed to keep Dover utilities strong and affordable for the residents in the city. In my opinion Mayor Shane Gunnoe is the right person to lead Dover into the future and restore Dover pride for all the citizens of our great city."

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Colby Byrom in the November general election.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Shane Gunnoe, Nicholas Homrighausen seek GOP nomination for mayor