Kurtz, Gregory P
Candidate for City Council
Biographical Information
Address:
6355 Evergreen Drive
Independence, Ohio 44131
Current Occupation:
Business Consultant
Education:
Padua Franciscan High School
CSU - Bachelor of Business Administration
Please answer the following questions in no more than 300 words.
1. Why are you the best candidate for office?
I can provide strong leadership with a proven track record of success (during my tenure as Mayor, the City's income tax revenue grew 400%; citywide property values grew over 300%, and we contributed $2.6M for school upgrades and improvements). I have 20 years of experience in public service, and am the only candidate for council who has been Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Interim Finance Director.
2. If elected or re-elected, what are your top three (3) priorities and why?
Balancing our City's $40,000,000.00, of debt with other vital and important capital improvement projects including street and sidewalk repairs, water drainage issues, and developing a satellite safety force facility on land the City purchased in the early 1990's. We should commit to a comprehensive downtown development plan. The business center of town needs to have more of a community "feeling," and be better coordinated and pedestrian friendly. This area is ripe for redevelopment that should include reapplication of at least a portion of the recently acquired former Middle School. I would reexamine the potential for building the once proposed and planned I-480 interchange near the Independence/Brooklyn Heights border. This interchange would revitalize the NW business corridor on Rockside Road, create jobs, and increase tax revenue - both income and property - which would help both the City and local schools. Finally, I'd work closely with school leadership to help create a critical path that stabilizes the school's financial position for the future.
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