By Wendy DiAlesandro

Quite a few voters in Summit County will have crowded races on their ballots, some for city and village councils and some for boards of education. Here’s a look at a few of them.

Hoping to fill four open council seats in Richfield are 10 candidates with a variety of priorities.

Candidate Carol Campbell said there is a growing need for open communication, transparency and collaboration between village leadership and residents.

“Too often, important issues are decided without residents feeling fully informed or involved. I believe the government should work with people, not just for them,” she said.

Campbell said she would improve how information is shared, create more opportunities for residents to provide feedback and build trust through consistent two-way communication.

Candidate Joyce Parton said Richfield residents are dissatisfied with the village’s many long-time politicians. A new face, she said, is needed.

“I’ll pay deep attention to codes and zoning so that residents can quietly enjoy their property,” Parton said. “I plan to only serve four years, but help set the tone for a more balanced future working relationship between the administration and council, where both sides stay in their lane and meetings are conducted efficiently and effectively.”

Though no single issue drove him to seek re-election, incumbent Jeff Stoppenhagen said he is committed to preserving Richfield’s small-town, rural character.

“Many residents are understandably cautious about the increasing density of housing developments and want to ensure that any zoning changes are made with long-term impacts in mind,” he said.

Equity in public utilities, particularly access to sewer and water services, also has Stoppenhagen’s attention.

“These are complex and costly projects, but they are essential to ensuring fairness and quality of life for all residents. I recognize that some areas feel underserved, and I am committed to continuing the work of planning and budgeting responsibly so that every resident who needs these services can receive them,” he said.

Candidate Dave Woytek said he wants to protect what makes Richfield special: its “peaceful, rural charm, strong sense of community and safe neighborhoods.” All of that, he said, must be preserved for future generations.

Steady, strong leadership is needed to protect Richfield’s semi-rural character, he said, adding that he would support “strong and well-resourced safety services and ensure responsible, transparent use of taxpayer dollars.”

Stating that he’d spoken with neighbors who share his concerns about overdevelopment, increased traffic and allegedly “inconsistent enforcement of ordinances that help protect property values and quality of life,” Woytek said he would promote fair and consistent enforcement, careful planning and open communication with residents.

Candidates Monica Ann Day, Rick Hudak, Michael K. Lyons, Jeff Newman, Jim Smith and Pat Norris did not respond to The Summiteer’s request for comment. 

Eight Barberton residents with a variety of priorities are running for office in two separate city council races.

Among the five vying for two open seats commencing Jan. 1, 2026, is write-in candidate Dallas Moore, who reported his priorities as accountability and transparency, infrastructure and reliability, community engagement, beautification and financial responsibility.

Referencing his professional background in financial analysis and his MBA degree in finance, he said he would bring “sound fiscal management” to council decisions. Moore also stated that city hall’s communication should be clearer, its processes more transparent, and that council meetings should be more accessible.

“I’ll work to ensure that your voice is heard, your concerns are addressed, and city decisions are made with input from the community,” he said, adding that he believes council should explore “electrical independence and focus on the flooding that has consistently been a problem, and updating roads in neighborhoods.”

Also hoping to fill one of the two open seats in that race is Democratic candidate Chris Stoll, who said Barberton’s current council members focus too much on partisan issues.

“We are a small city where most people are politically independent,” Stoll said. “We cannot afford to waste our time fighting over partisan politics. The people of Barberton need us to focus on bringing prosperity to town, smartly managing our finances and contributing to growth cycles.”

Describing himself as an entrepreneur, Stoll said he has experience working with diverse groups of stakeholders to accomplish goals and would do the same for Barberton.

Republican candidates Tayler Marie Thompson and Tina Ludwig and Democratic candidate Julie Miller did not respond to The Summiteer’s response for comment.

Barberton’s second council race has three candidates running for a single open seat set to expire Dec. 31, 2027.

Referencing incidents on April 14 that resulted with two deaths, Republican candidate Mike Hoover zeroed in on safety.

A former deputy clerk in the Barberton Clerk of Court’s office who has a “long-term relationship with law enforcement,” Hoover said he will continue “to support the local police, educate the public and ensure that crime is addressed by city council and the mayor.”

Hoover’s opponents, write-in candidate Chuck Easterling and Democrat Bryan Poorman, did not respond to The Summiteer’s request for comment.

In Twinsburg, where seven candidates are vying for three open board of education seats, transparency and fiscal responsibility are top of mind.

Candidate Christopher Kraska said he entered the race “due to the perception of a lack of transparency in the board of education, coupled with the apparent inability to come to a solution to the problem of deteriorating facilities.”

Twinsburg residents feel that the Tiger Legacy Project was “not only too massive, but didn't adequately address resident concerns, resulting in two separate defeats at the polls,” he said.

Candidate Merkisha Rush said she would focus on strengthening communication, promoting fiscal responsibility and ensuring that “district policies support both academic excellence and the well-being of every student.”

She said she would help create an environment where students can thrive, teachers feel supported and families are confident in the direction of district schools. That, she said, means building strong partnerships between families, educators and the community to ensure Twinsburg’s students have the resources they need.

A member of Twinsburg’s board of education from 1985-2001, candidate Mark R. Wesner said his priority would be “restoring transparency between the BOE, the superintendent’s office and the community.”

Financial stewardship is also on Wesner’s mind: despite having approved a general operating levy in 2023, the state auditor recently informed the district that it would be put on the financial watch list if current spending trends continued. Wesner said he would reign in unnecessary spending, especially since Twinsburg schools Treasurer Julia Rozsnyai has projected the district will need new operating funds by 2028.

Wesner also took issue with the BOE’s decision to float two bond issues that would have financed various building projects. Twinsburg voters rejected both bids—one in November 2024 and one in May 2025—and Wesner says it’s high time the BOE listens to the community and recognizes that “sometimes, no means no.”

Candidates Kelly Ameche, Rhonda Crawford, Joe Revay and Lea Travis did not respond to The Summiteer’s request for comment.

In Tallmadge, zoning issues are top of mind for many of the six candidates seeking three at-large council seats for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Appointed to council in December 2024, Republican candidate Christine Cipa said her goal is to “advance the responsible revitalization of our downtown area, ensuring we preserve the unique feel and integrity of our Tallmadge community for years to come.”

Making informed decisions is critical, she said, noting that she supported rezoning West Avenue to encourage new development only after confirming widespread support from local businesses and neighbors.

Appointed to her at-large council seat in January 2024, Democratic candidate Jessica Epstein said a 2021 proposal to place a housing development near her neighborhood drew her into Tallmadge politics. She believed the 236-home development would threaten the character of her neighborhood.

Epstein said she organized more than 300 residents to contact council members and was inspired to continue serving the community. Council ultimately voted not to approve rezoning the area, a measure that would have greenlighted the development.

“Now I'm seeking my first full term on council to continue that commitment that started years ago for smart, sustainable growth that honors our past while ensuring residents have a real voice in the decisions that shape Tallmadge’s future,” she said.

Zoning, development and a need for “pedestrian infrastructure improvements on Tallmadge’s main streets” prompted Democratic candidate Lindsay Cammel Halm to seek an at-large seat on city council.

Pledging to protect Tallmadge’s remaining rural areas, Halm raised concerns about “R6 zoning and the rapid development of Tallmadge’s remaining farmland and forests into large, dense, residential neighborhoods.” 

Traffic on main city streets frightens motorists and pedestrians alike, she said, so investing in walking and bike paths to connect neighborhoods would address a critical safety issue. She also said she would work with stakeholders “from both sides of the aisle” to creatively find compromises on conservation and development.

Incumbent at-large councilman Nick Rubino, a Republican, cited zoning, economic development and residential growth as the city’s most pressing matters.

“Tallmadge is at a pivotal point. We need to be thoughtful about how we grow, making sure new development fits the character of our city and supports the kind of community residents want to live in. That means protecting our shared values, preserving what makes Tallmadge unique, and ensuring that growth benefits everyone…not just a few,” he said.

Rubino pledged to keep pushing for zoning decisions that reflect community input and long-term planning; economic growth that supports local businesses and attracts the right kind of investment; residential development that respects neighborhoods and infrastructure; and a governing style that listens first, acts second and keeps residents at the center.

Budgeting, zoning and planning for future growth requires steady, informed leadership that appointees may not have, Republican candidate Jena R. Stasik said, noting that four of Tallmadge’s seven council members are appointed rather than elected. Appointees, through no fault of their own, often have “less time to prepare and fewer opportunities to build the deep understanding that comes from experience in public service,” she said.

In contrast, Stasik highlights her decade-plus of experience with local government in Summit County.

“I have advocated for veterans, helped launch economic development initiatives, managed grant programs, supported community outreach, worked through municipal budget processes and led communication efforts to increase transparency and public trust,” she said.

Democratic candidate and former Tallmadge Mayor David Kline prioritized fiscal responsibility and economic development, the Tallmadge-Brimfield Joint Economic Development District, enhancing city services and working with the Summit County dispatch center as reasons for returning to city politics.

“As mayor, I was responsible for submitting the budget to council for the city, so with that knowledge of working with all departments, I will be able to help my colleagues and the administration with a fiscally responsible budget. We must continue setting long-term financial goals for the capital budget,” he said.

Tallmadge must work with stakeholders to strengthen its economic goals in overlay areas and work with Brimfield Township to develop the JEDD, he said. He championed “the best training possible” for police, fire, street and utilities employees and pledged to work to enhance the dispatch center.

In Hudson, where six candidates are hoping to fill three at-large council seats on Dec. 2, ending divisiveness takes a slight lead over safety issues and fiscal concerns.

Candidate William McGinley said maintaining fiscal stewardship and “helping to end the divisiveness that has created a wedge in our community” drove him into local politics.

“I believe council has made strong progress over the past four years—self-funding community broadband, developing a 24/7 hybrid fire department and investing in infrastructure without overspending,” he said. “But in the next four years, the city will be challenged to do more with less.”

As property taxes have risen, McGinley said he would prioritize “data-driven decisions and efficient operations.” Doing more with less, he said, would allow Hudson to keep other taxes low while maintaining and in some cases expanding its services.

Open ears and results are top of mind for candidate Amanda Weinstein, who said she has seen how projects like the inclusive playground, broadband expansion and fire department upgrade get delayed by politics.

“Too many community projects face the same roadblocks, while council focuses on petty disputes and divisive politics,” she said. “Meanwhile, our community has had to fight for basic fire resources even as homes burn each year. I know we can do better: with collaboration, civility and action.”

Weinstein said local government must listen to residents, prioritize public safety, invest in community spaces for all ages and focus on modern approaches to economic development: specifically, expanding fiber broadband to residents and supporting small businesses that keep Hudson vibrant.

Candidate Samantha D’Eramo said the city needs a council member who will “bring constructive change, advocate for safety and restore trust in local government.”

She said her eyes were opened by what she termed the Hudson Fire Department’s “very slow” response time when her home was destroyed by fire. Only afterward did she learn that Hudson’s Fire Department relies on volunteer staffing, a model she called outdated.

“That tragedy opened my eyes to the serious gaps in our local fire services, gaps that put lives and homes at risk, which sadly has caused house fires in our community for four years in a row,” she said.

(According to its website, the department is currently staffed by 41 firefighters, 35 of them volunteer and six of them full-time. In July, the Hudson VFD began staffing the station with four firefighters from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and anticipates implementing round-the-clock staffing in 2026.)

Maintaining responsible financial oversight is top of mind for incumbent Karen Heater, who said she is running to continue the progress she made during her first term.

Detailing that progress, Heater pointed to expanding Hudson Fire Department hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., rolling out fiber networks to residents and more than doubling Hudson’s investments in stormwater and road repairs.

“I will not support a tax increase and will continue to ensure we spend our residents’ tax dollars wisely on needed infrastructure and improvements with a thoughtful, strategic approach,” she said.

Incumbent candidate Chris Banweg and candidate Kyle Brezovec did not respond to The Summiteer’s request for comment.