Roger Vozar has been a community journalist since graduation from the Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. He worked for several different newspapers in the Sun News chain, including serving as an assistant editor for six west side editions. He was the longtime reporter and assistant editor for the Lakewood Sun Post and received a resolution from Lakewood City Council in 2001 in appreciation of his efforts.

He has received awards from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists and the Cleveland Press Club. Scene Magazine also honored him in an annual "Best of Cleveland" issue for writing the Best Police Blotter.

His wife, Judy, manages her family's hair salon. Roger's hobbies include playing ice hockey and watching horror movies.

roger.vozar@patch.com

440-391-3585

Your Beliefs
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Politics

How would you describe your political beliefs?

I'm socially liberal but financially conservative.

Are you registered with a certain party?

I'm registered as a Democrat, mainly because they have contested primary elections, but consider myself an Independent.

Religion

How religious would you consider yourself?

I was raised Catholic and worked eight years at Holy Family Home, a Catholic hospice. I'm not deeply religious, but I have respect for the beliefs of others.

Local Hot-Button Issues

What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Before construction ended, I might had said traffic on Mayfield Road, although it can still get pretty busy during rush hour. I think much of the Hillcrest area is dealing with the same issues as most communities around Greater Cleveland – dwindling resources due to the economy and pressures caused by out-migration and an influx of new residents who are often of different cultures and backgrounds.

Where do you stand on each of these issues?

As for city and school district budgets, it's always a matter of getting what you pay for. If you don't want to increase taxes, accept that there are limits to the services that can be provided. It's all a matter of weighing costs versus benefits.

Regarding migration patterns, I prefer living closely to the core city and support policies that oppose urban sprawl and the continual stretching of resources. As for new residents and differing cultures, my time in Lakewood taught me how that has occurred continually over the years and communities adapt to change even if it seems challenging at times.