• By shaking things up at City Hall, Mike is changing the tone of the conversation. Mike proposed amendments that would have balanced the 2010 and 2011 budgets and allocated more money to the roads. Although these proposals failed by a 4-3 vote, Mike’s leadership changed the conversation from “Where can we spend?” to “Where can we cut?”

• Stow residents are overtaxed. Mike has been a consistent “no” vote on fee increases that are really nothing but back-door taxes in sheep’s clothing. Mike also advocated for reducing the amount that the city takes in for property taxes.

• Mike understands that leadership requires sacrifice. This year, Mike proposed a cut of 40% to city council salaries, which would have brought council salaries down to the market value of other surrounding cities of similar sizes. The city must cut its spending, and Mike believes that members of council should not be immune. Mike successfully defeated a proposal by Councilwoman Drew to give bonuses to councilmembers for good attendance and for increased city revenue.

• Mike successfully fought a program of taxing and inspecting rental properties (see legislation here: DRAFT CHAPTER 1361), which two members of council (D’Antonio and Pribonic) desire to extend to all residences. (Click the following link for D’Antonio and Pribonic’s public comments to the Public Improvement Committee: 01-25-2010_Minutes). Thanks to Mike’s tough critique of the proposal, it was never brought for a vote before council.

• Mike has helped to kill proposals to create criminal laws where they are not needed. For example, Mike successfully fought against the mayor’s nonsensical legislation that would have made it a first-degree misdemeanor for a resident to put snow in the street or sidewalk, no matter how small the amount of snow. As Mike pointed out, a first-degree misdemeanor is the same penalty as the crime of drunk driving or domestic violence, and it carries up to six months of jail time and a $1,000 fine. Thanks to Mike’s opposition, the legislation failed in the Roads & Safety Committee, of which Mike is Vice Chairman.

• With his legal background, Mike is capable of drafting legislation as well as critiquing it. Last year, Mike proposed and drafted charter language, which the residents approved in 2010, that provided a procedure for repairing provisions of Stow’s Charter that are unconstitutional by state or federal law.

• Mike has worked closely with leaders of other cities to learn where Stow can save precious taxpayer dollars. In 2010, Mike proposed a cost-saving plan to allow employees to opt out of city-provided health insurance.

• Mike stands on principle. Last fall, he campaigned for term limits to be applied to city council. Mike selflessly contributed his own time and money to educate voters on this topic, despite the fact that term limits would limit the potential length of time he could personally serve on council.

• Mike understands that the right decision is not always the easiest. Last year, Mike proposed a 3% cut to the salaries of city employees who earn more than $80,000.

• Mike is willing to think outside the box to save taxpayer dollars. Last year, Mike proposed legislation to hire an outside management company to run Fox Den Golf Course, which would save Stow taxpayers significant money that could be used to fix the city’s deteriorating neighborhood roads.

• Mike goes the extra mile for residents. In the past two years, Mike has traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials on residents’ behalf—all on his own dime. In 2010, Mike sat down with Federal Aviation Administration officials to discuss residents’ concerns about the future of Kent State Airport.

• Mike walks the walk when it comes to economic development. In the past two years, Mike has met with dozens of Stow’s business owners to learn what policies will best lead to their sustenance and growth.

• Mike believes that the best government is a transparent one. Because of this belief, Mike has provided residents with weekly updates through his blog. Mike has also teamed with Ward One Councilman Matt Riehl to provide monthly group meetings with residents to answer their questions about the city.

• Mike finds it unfair to blame unionized employees for the city’s financial problems, which were imposed by reckless decisions by the administration and past councils. As such, Mike has spent time listening to concerns from the employees who provide indispensible services to Stow’s residents, such as police, firefighters, and service employees.

• Mike reformed the senior snow plow program to protect senior citizens from identity theft. The program previously required seniors to make their personal financial information public in order to qualify for assistance. Mike successfully proposed a simpler and safer process, which also saved the city countless man hours and money (see meeting minutes: Council – 09-08-11).