Candidate for Council at Large - Lorain
Democrat
cte99587@centurytel.net
(440) 282-6200
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| Employment: |
Director of Purchasing/Estimating/Design, Oster Homes, Lorain, Ohio.
Over a decade of experience on Lorain City Council as the 7th Ward Councilman for eleven years and 8th Ward Councilman for one year. I have been Chairman of Lorain City Councils' two most important/influential committees, those being the Finance and Claims Committee as well as the Federal Programs Committee. These two committees process that vast majority of all dollars used in city government. I also have experience leading the Parks and Recreation committee.
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| Education: |
Graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Procurement and Materials Management, BS/BA, I have also attended Lorain County Community College.
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| Community Involvement: |
| Served as volunteers for various civic organizations (i.e. Muscular Dystrophy Association, Easter Seals, Lorain Youth Baseball team sponsorship, etc) |
| Family: |
Married to Lisa Given (Ritenauer) for 16 years
Children, Nicole 14, Daniel 10, and Samantha 6.
Father - John (Jack) Given, Sister - Nora Given
Brother - Lt. Col. Terrence Given (Air Force)
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| Why would
you like to be elected? |
| Serving the community is a very important aspect of a citizens life. My background and education has allowed me to utilize my skills and education to help foster a "growth attitude" in city government. It also has brought forth a frugal thought process in the city leadership which should help us weather the financial storm that we are experiencing with the recent losses of Ford Motor Co. and Marconi as well as a struggling national economy. Long term thinking is necessary in order for us to flourish and we need free thinkers on council who will not jump at each and every opportunity which throws itself at the citizens of Lorain. Thorough analysis is essential so that the leaders of today are not selling the future generations short for tomorrow. I have the background, education and experience to make that happen. |
| What
would you like to accomplish if elected? |
| Fiscal responsibility and sound business management are two areas in need of improvement in our city. With the correct individuals on Council, the decisions made today will foster growth in the future. Many decisions made with our current city leadership allow for short term gains yet severe long term losses. I would like to see sound ideas for business practices instituted today so that procedures can be put in place to eliminate poor practices tomorrow. Today's leaders need to forget about past practices and the "sins of the past" and utilize todays economy and technology to advance services to Lorains Citizens. My business/negotiation and management background can be utilized to create these concepts. Lorain needs leaders with back bones and not "yes men" to special interests. I am willing to take that fight on. |
| How do
you think Internet technology will impact government services? |
| The internet is a tool that benefits each and every one of us yet city government is very slow to utilize this or any new technology. Research that used to take years and thousands of dollars are now at our fingertips in a few seconds at virtually no cost. We can pay bills, research new equipment, learn new skills at a touch of a button. I would like to see more training instituted to each city workers' jobs so that they can be more productive and also get greater job satisfaction. We are not advancing as fast as the private sector yet we need to. The city leadership should mandate this to all workers so that the tax payers dollars are utilized with the utmost efficiency. Training is essential for us to stay abreast of new technologies. With training and a good work ethic, less tax dollars are spent yet more work gets accomplished. |
| What
one bit of information do people not normally know about you? |
| My background and training is in business practices and negotiations. I have extensive experience in business in both small and fortune 500 companies. Business practices are essential to controlling and utilizing a tax dollar to its fullest potential. I fight hard in the spending of your dollars and wish to continue the fight in the years to come. Please allow me to work on your behalf |
