Highland Heights Mayor Election 2011: Scott A. Mills

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: Scott A. Mills

Age: 49

Occupation: AVP/Branch manager of major bank.

Education: School of Hard Knocks

Political affiliation: Republican

Office sought: Mayor of Highland Heights

Previous political office sought or held: four terms Highland Heights councilman, two terms as council president.

Statement: It is simple math that for every new job generated paying $50,000/year the city receives $1,000 in tax revenue. For the past several years, since its very birth, The Aberdeen Business Park has remained virtually empty and unproductive (except for weeds), with 10 3-acre parcels still sitting, waiting, “FOR SALE.” Unlike the current administration, I will not sit idly by allowing this tremendous real estate property to waste away. The current mayor has not offered a single plan to develop the business park. He has not even set up meetings with the developer of the property to work together to generate activity on the once gorgeous property adjacent to the beautiful StoneWater Golf Course.

I believe developing Aberdeen Business park and generating tax revenues should be a priority.

The current administration is focused on spending, for example, in the park for improved baseball fields and for the remodeling of the old pool house, with a $300,000 price tag. As your mayor, I will make Aberdeen Business a top priority and work with council and the developer to lead our city in the right direction to create sound economic growth. For every new company that moves into the business park with an average of 50 employees, $50,000 in new tax revenue would be  generated for the city. Imagine the fiscal stability that will create for our city.

Many businesses have left the city under the current administration. Alpha Park has available space on both sides of the street, including an 80,000-square-foot building that sits empty. The old Catalano's space has remained empty for years with only recent activity after the property owners contacted the city. I will work diligently to find creative ideas to stimulate new business in these empty spaces. We need a mayor with leadership that is proactive in bringing new businesses to our fine city so more payroll tax revenue may be generated. I will be that mayor.

Sustainable growth in property values

I will work to keep our property values strong. I understand that your home is your most important asset. As mayor, I will ensure that we keep our property values strong through viable and sustainable city code enforcement. In addition, I will support a program to assist seniors in our city who are experiencing troubles with their homes and property. In the long run, any run-down or neglected home in the city diminishes all property values.

Infrastructure

Roads, sewers, water mains – all are critical to our city. Highland Heights has an ailing , aged infrastructure and if we don't address it soon, the city will be in big trouble. One example is the Highland Road water main, which has incurred increasing breaks (leaks). The Cleveland Water Department has informed the current administration that it must be replaced. Our current mayor has put no plan forward. When I am elected mayor, I will address this and other very serious infrastructure issues and work with council to develop plans to address these needs, before “spending” tax dollars on “nice to do” projects in the park. I will diligently seek federal funds to address these infrastructure problems. If we do not start prioritizing these repairs in a smart and timely manner we could see our reserve capital disappear very quickly. Successful economic development is critical.

Transparency/accountability

This is an important topic, especially in light of the recent county corruption scandal. I have heard from many residents that they want an improved connection with their mayor and city government. I hear stories from residents that, well… “you just  have to “know” someone to get hired for city jobs and summer employment. It's the "Buddy system.” Our city, under the current administration, has had ethical violations filed, and still pending, in Columbus against  certain city officials whose private companies may have inappropriately benefited from city business.

I want the most qualified person for each city job, part-time, seasonal, or permanent.  As Mayor, I will not fill a city job with my friends or relatives, or appoint someone to a position in order to pay back a political favor. I will hire and appoint people who demonstrate they will serve this city for ALL the right reasons and are best qualified overall to fill the job.

Further, all city business must be wholly transparent. Locking the doors of city hall during public meetings cannot be tolerated - period. There is no acceptable excuse for violations of the sunshine laws. This will never happen under my administration because I respect the rights of the public and understand the duties of the office of the mayor. As your mayor, I will insure that all city business be conducted with full and absolute transparency.

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