Candidate for Elyria 4th Ward City Council
Independent
Craig4Council@oh.rr.com
(440) 366-0608
| |
| Employment: |
| Attorney practicing in Elyria. |
| Education: |
| University of Akron School of Law, Akron, Ohio (J.D., magna cum laude, 2001); Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC (B.A. English with minor in Business Administration, magna cum laude, 1994). |
| Community Involvement: |
| Member of the Ohio State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Cleveland Bar Association and the Lorain County Bar Association; member American Legion Post 12 (Elyria); member of St. Jude's parish; Volunteer Guardian: VFW - Honor Flight Program. |
| Family: |
| Wife Kristen; daughters Sara, Kathryn and Hope and sons Matthew and Brendan. |
| Why would
you like to be elected? |
| I am a licensed real estate and construction law attorney with the law firm of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP. I understand legislation and how to analyze its impact both in the short term and long term. I am experienced with the challenges and legal issues faced by local government. I represent clients throughout Northeast Ohio and understand the problems facing businesses and communities in this area. I have demonstrated that I can get things accomplished in Elyria by leading the effort to fix the income tax credit problem in which those working outside of the city were being double-taxed. I then lead the effort for the permanent solution, which was to amend the city charter so that Council cannot raise income taxes or lower the tax credit without a vote of the people. I will bring a much-needed level of professionalism to Council. |
| What
would you like to accomplish if elected? |
| Overall, I believe the government should be accountable to the people it represents. I will maintain that accountability by monitoring the expenditures of the City and looking for ways in which to improve efficiency. I would like to see realistic goals for business development proposed for the key personnel in the administration and set some measures for accomplishment and analysis of those goals. I will encourage feedback from the residents for legislation that is proposed and will affect them. I will raise the level of awareness of Council’s decisions by asking pertinent questions regarding proposed legislation. I will also seek ways to promote a more business-friendly atmosphere to reduce the reluctance of businesses coming to Elyria. |
| How do
you think Internet technology will impact government services? |
| The Internet is becoming more and more prevalent as a method for ordering services and providing a means of communication between government and residents. This technology will continue to increase efficiency by identifying individual needs, allowing targeted responses. |
| What
one bit of information do people not normally know about you? |
| I enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy for eight years (1990-1998) as a nuclear reactor operator on a fast-attack submarine. I received training as an electronics technician and electrician. I was an instructor in the Navy for two years, qualifying reactor operators on electronic nuclear monitoring, operation, safety and support systems.
After honorable discharge from the Navy, I attended law school in the evening. During the day, I worked and was promoted to Regional Customer Service Manager at AGA Gas, Inc., responsible for over 25 million dollars of annual sales and development of policies, procedures and training programs to maximize employee efficiency and knowledge within the region. I know what it means to work hard and I value the importance of a good education. |
