by Emily Canning-Dean
Reporter
Oakwood -- Incumbent Mayor Gary Gottschalk will be challenged by Council President Robert Townsend for the position of mayor in the Nov. 6 general election.
Gottschalk has been mayor for 16 years. Townsend has been Council president for four years.
Gottschalk says village
is 'premier community'
Gottschalk said the growing number of jobs and houses in the village illustrate why he is the best candidate for the position.
"Oakwood is booming with upscale businesses and residential development," he said, naming businesses such as Ameripath, Medical Service Companies and Thermo Fisher Scientific which have made their home in Oakwood. "I am the most proud of the high tech and life science companies that are coming to Oakwood."
Gottschalk also said his rapport with others make him a good candidate.
"I work well with people and I pledged to make the lives of seniors in this community the best years of their lives," he said.
Gottschalk said that the village has expanded recreation and community programs. He said village classes include cardio kick-boxing, body sculpting and karate. The village also offers after-school tutoring programs for students in second- to eighth-grade.
Gottschalk said he will continue to work for better programs and bring in economic development.
"I believe in results, not words," he said.
Townsend say wants open communication
Townsend, who retired after 30 years as chief bailiff for the Cleveland Municipal Court, said he plans to be open and honest if elected.
"I try to practice telling the truth," he said. "Our current mayor is not open with the community and needs to bring things before Council."
Townsend said if he is elected that all of the financial books in Oakwood will be audited and department heads and staff will be evaluated.
"There should be job descriptions for village positions and more evaluations for employees," he said.
Townsend also said he would actively recruit businesses.
"I like the tech businesses, but there are also vacancies at Hawthorne Valley Shopping Center," he said. "Oakwood does not have a white table cloth restaurant, a super market or a bank."
Townsend said he also would like to consult residents to find out their thoughts about a metro center with large rooms that could be rented out.
"I want to consult residents to see how they would want to pay for it," he said.
E-mail:ecanning@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3166