Richfield Village Council candidates

Four Richfield Village Council positions will be on the November ballot and only four people are running for the four-year positions. Current Council President Mike Lyons is ineligible to run because of a two-term limit. Jeff Stoppenhagen and Ralph Waszak are both finishing their two-year unexpired terms and both are seeking election to the four-year terms. Rick Hudak and Pat Norris are seeking election. Hudak has served multiple terms in the past and Pat Norris is a newcomer to village council. The annual pay for village council members is $8,727. The council president earns $9,309 annually. They are not offered fringe benefits.

Each candidate was asked to respond to four questions, using a total of 250 words. Following are their unedited responses.

1. What would you like to accomplish in the next four years as a councilperson?

 Hudak: Hopefully, with meetings going back to being in person rather than virtual, there will be more people from the community participating. Interacting with residents and having the community able to see first-hand the interaction and discussions which occur at Council meetings is extremely important. I have heard criticism regarding communication prior to some decisions made by Council recently. I will do all I can to ensure that we (on Council) are as transparent as possible.

Norris: One of my primary goals is to maintain strict compliance with process and transparency. I want especially to conform to our charter as it relates to zoning. The Board of Zoning Appeals should be utilized more fully than currently. All zoning students are taught early on that spot zoning is to be avoided at all cost. It seems from recent zoning process that we may have lost our way in this regard.

Stoppenhagen: Completing the water tower and bringing water to more of the Village takes immediate priority. I plan to continue to chair the Cemetery Board Subcommittee that is planning the addition of new columbarium to both cemeteries, and expand the number of in-ground graves available. As the population of the Village ages, we need to make sure we have enough final resting places for our residents. With the new brewery coming to the center of town we need to rework the intersection of West Streetsboro and Broadview Roads. The addition of long planned turn lanes will be needed in preparation for an increase in traffic, and to solve congestion that currently exists. The discussion of this improvement goes back 20 years and needs to finally be completed.

Waszak: Beautification of all commercial areas, adoption of a “dark sky” lighting ordinance and a comprehensive landscape ordinance for commercial areas, improvement of the 303/176 and Wheatley/Brecksville intersections, attraction of quality companies to expand and diversify our tax base, implement plans for the 303/176 Village Green, enhance walkability and connectivity, maintain infrastructure – sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and roads, expand recreational activities for all ages, review plans for village owned land on the south side of Wheatley Road, enhance communications with Richfield Township and Richfield Heritage Preserve, and fiscal prudence. Ideas are great, implementation is priceless!

2. With it likely that the village will see a reduction in income tax revenue, what cost-saving action would you support?

Hudak: In the economic downturn of 2008- 2009 the Village Administration and Council were able to redistribute resources and keep services up to an acceptable level. Some projects were delayed, but we survived. Similarly, there are options for us with the possible (not definite) reduction in income tax revenue. Tax incremental financing contracts which were based on projected income tax revenue can be re-visited and, possibly, adjusted accordingly. Hopefully that will not be necessary.

Norris: We are blessed with an experienced, capable, connected, responsible, business like staff in the Finance Department. Our mayor is a businessman with conservative fiscal values. The Village has already taken logical steps to reduce expenses to more than compensate for reduced income for the period ending mid August. Having spent more than four decades cultivating relationships with the treasuries and finance departments of hundreds of political subdivisions across the state, I have a unique opportunity to discover multiple perspectives and unique circumstances that might be helpful to us here in Richfield.

Stoppenhagen: The reduction in tax revenue we saw in 2020 was not as great as we feared, but I voted with Council to put all projects that were not absolutely necessary on hold. If the tax revenue drops, I would again support the suspension of all Village spending that does not adversely affect the infrastructure or the safety of the residents.

Waszak: Richfield is fortunate in that in spite of Covid income tax collections thru August are up 11.9%. Since income tax makes up 75% of the village’s revenue, receipts and expenditures are closely monitored. If revenues decline, capital purchases/projects could be delayed, and staffing levels examined.

3. With plenty of walking areas for adults, what facilities should be provided for the youth of the community?

Hudak: This is so obvious. With the amazing Richfield Heritage Preserve Park open in this community, just renovating the facilities there could satisfy any reasonable desires regarding youth activities. This may necessitate re-thinking the operation of the park, which may not be a bad idea.

Norris: I encourage everyone to appreciate and take advantage of the myriad opportunities one has in the many hundreds of acres of parks we have from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the newly recognized Camp Crowell Hilaka Historic District. While passive opportunities abound locally, I would encourage youth to explore the many volunteer opportunities that are available in our park systems.

Stoppenhagen: With the proposed Recreation Center on hold having a full-size basketball court or tennis courts available to all residents would be a good investment. We’re fortunate to have a great park system in the Village that currently has amenities for all ages.

Waszak: Since the village’s feasibility study demonstrated that an indoor community center is not feasible, an outdoor pool should be explored. As an example, similarly sized Mayfield Village’s Parkside community pool offers programs for tots to seniors. Additionally, tennis courts, pickle ball, and basketball courts.

4. Speeding cars and motorcycles is a frequent complaint. What should be done about it, assuming no expansion of the police department?

Hudak: Addressing this problem without increasing staff could only be done by reviewing priorities of the duties of our patrol officers. This could be challenging. We could also consider increasing penalties and fines. Having patrol cars visible is always a detriment to law breakers of all kinds.

Norris: Without more detail, I can only offer that greater visibility of our current resources and greater enforcement of our current statutes is a good base.

Stoppenhagen: Our Police Department does a great job handling speeding cars & loud motorcycles, but they cannot be there for every instance. The “your speed” signs have had some effect, and moving them around to problem areas will address it short-term, but the best way to handle both issues is by stopping the offending vehicles. Many times, a traffic stop that doesn’t involve a citation tends to send a message to the driver or rider. Our officers cover a lot of miles of road in the Village and Township, and without putting more patrol cars on those roads they just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Waszak: 4 The use of portable radar devices that advise motorists of their speed should be expanded. Enforcement of speed limits – especially on residential streets. The village has a noise ordinance that covers loud vehicles, however enforcement under the current law is difficult. Research should be done to determine how other communities have successfully addressed the problem of loud vehicles. ∞