Stow City Council
Vote Nov. 8th!

It’s my honor to endorse Scott Buck for mayor.

I have known Scott for almost three years. He has always been totally positive, yet wholly realistic. He loves this city, and he knows we can do better.

Scott has business experience, being named the Chamber of Commerce’s Businessman of the Year and running his own company; finance experience; and leadership experience, as former president of the Chamber of Commerce.

I have heard over the past several months that Mayor Fritschel has persuaded many city employees to support Sara Drew because, ahem, if they don’t, there may be repercussions. Scott does not plan to operate with fear, but rather with empowerment. He fully believes we have a capable, talented employee base, and he wants to let them do what they do best, without micromanaging.

Scott and I have not agreed on everything. We have had fierce debates, in fact. However, I know that Scott’s heart is in the right place, and he supports our safety forces, infrastructure (roads and flooding), and he will do everything in his power to turn our budgetary problem around.

Before Scott ever set his hopes on being mayor, he was an economic development guru for Stow. I remember his calls two years ago, talking about this company or that company that he is hoping to persuade to set up shop in Stow. No ulterior motives. Not for political gain. That’s Scott Buck.

The distinction between Scott and Sara Drew is so stark and obvious that I’m not going to address it. Just know that Scott is a leader, not a follower, and he’s one of the rare people who runs for public office because he truly cares for this town, not for social status, a pay raise, or any other personal gain.

Scott is winning this race, and I believe he is the only candidate qualified for the job.

If you weren’t sure whether Scott Buck was winning, you should be now.

Sara Drew is threatening to file an elections complaint against Buck through her attorney, Ron Alexander.

Drew claims that Buck’s volunteers are saying false statements, although Drew admits that she’s not accusing Buck of having knowledge of these statements.

These alleged false statements relate to the Home Inspection Tax, to be specific. This might sound familiar, because they have accused me of lying regarding the Home Inspection Tax. Each time it happens, I just point to the meeting minutes and the proposed ordinance. The facts are all there. Their complaint was categorically false against me, and it’s likely to be found categorically false now.

But back to the elections complaint … There’s an adage in politics that you can tell who’s winning by watching to see who resorts to a desperate move first. In that regard, Drew intends to file a formal complaint that relies solely on hearsay of people, who happened to be passing out literature for more than one candidate.

This is nothing new from the GOBN. John Pribonic pulled this trick last election against John Wysmierski. The ethics commission later ruled that Wysmierski did nothing wrong. The lack of wrongdoing did not stop Pribonic from publicly accusing Wysmierski of ethics violations.

Drew’s complaint gives you all the more reason to talk to your neighbors about the mayor race. Let them know that this is a perfect illustration of the great lengths Sara Drew will go to avoid talking about the issues. She prefers to “lawyer up” and tattle on her opponent.

I imagine this complaint will be the central focus of Drew’s campaign in the last seven days, with a newspaper ad, mail, and flyers. But I’ll say it again: She’s desperate, and she’s losing.

I had a great, productive weekend on the campaign trail. It was a pleasure to meet so many good people. This weekend, I had a surprising amount of residents who stopped me in mid-sentence, told me that they’re already 100 percent behind me, and told me to spend my time spreading the word to others.

It was also good to speak with residents about our mayor race. As you know by now, there is only one qualified candidate: Scott Buck.

We know plenty about Sara Drew. She has voted “no” on only one spending measure during her nearly six years on council. She has never led, preferring to vote how her friends are voting.

Scott Buck has an open mind, and he will assess every government function to determine where waste exists, if any. He has a true background in economic development, as proven through his successful lobbying for business owners to stay and expand in Stow — and this is before he becomes mayor.

The question is: Are you ready to help? Can you talk to some neighbors? Can you text your friends? How about a Facebook status update?

The mayor race is very, very close right now. This last week very well could determine the future of our city. If every reader of this blog can tell five friends, then we can make it a blowout victory for fiscal responsibility.

Will you help? Use the “CONTACT MIKE” button above to get involved.