Politics & Government

Highland Heights Council Election 2011: Ken Messinger-Rapport

As part of our election coverage, Hillcrest Patch will provide profiles of candidates for local office

Editor's Note: As part of Hillcrest Patch's election coverage, we will provide profiles of each of the candidates running for local office. These profiles will offer biographical and issue-oriented details about each of the candidates to help you, the voters, make more-informed decisions at the ballot box. Stay tuned for more coverage of the election.

Name: Ken Messinger-Rapport   

Age: 53

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Occupation:  Attorney

Education: University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts, major: economics, minors: history and fine arts

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Political affiliation: Democrat

Office sought: Council at large

Previous political office sought or held: First time candidate

Statement: Should you be elected, what are three specific areas you'd like to change, address, improve or further research, and how specifically would you go about it?

1. I will work with developers to renovate vacant commercial properties in a way that will enhance the quality of life of Highland Heights’ residents and increase property values throughout the city.   Vacant commercial properties on the corners of Bishop and Wilson Mills could be redeveloped to promote environmentally responsible transportation service to University Circle, where many of our residents work; and, include a retail development that serves both residents’ and commuters’ needs.

2. Improve stormwater management to reduce stormwater overflows and flooding, and limit the impact of rising sewer rates. Educate residents about the benefits of rain barrels, rain gardens, and planting native species of plants and trees to reduce flooding. Implementing these measures may also enable residents to qualify for credits on their water and sewer bills which have risen, and will be increasing more in coming years.  If necessary I will introduce new city ordinances to allow rain barrels and rain gardens, and to encourage the planting of native plant species. I will work with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District on larger projects to restore and revitalize the Euclid Creek watershed so that it can absorb more rain water during storms and reduce runoff which produces flooding. 

3. Maintain roads and sidewalks, and build new sidewalks where needed to make the city safer, more walkable and bikeable. Look for county, state, or federal monies and matching funds within the city budget to make better, healthier, and safer transportation a reality.  This can also help to produce local construction jobs. 

All three of these priorities would necessarily promote employment opportunities by fostering construction projects, home improvement projects, and infrastructure projects — thus, all three would stimulate the local economy. 

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