Dave George, 59
Party: Democrat
Hometown: Lorain
Occupation: Worked at U.S. Steel Lorain for 30 years. He also served in the U.S. Navy.
Education: Mechanical engineering degree from West Virginia University and additional courses in the areas of effective negotiating, statistical control, team-building and accounting.
Previous elected office held: None
Unsuccessful election bids: None
Family: Wife, Ruth; and children Scot (and his wife, Kristina), Ross and Elizabeth

Lori Kokoski, 42
Party: Democrat
Hometown: Lorain
Occupation: Lorain County Commissioner
Education: Graduate of Marion L. Steele High School and Lorain County Joint Vocational School/LCCC
Previous elected office held: Three consecutive Council terms for 8th Ward in Lorain
Unsuccessful election bids: None
Family: Three children, Tara, 22, Joey, 17, and Jordan, 17

Kathleen A. Rednour, 43
Party: Democrat
Hometown: New Russia Township
Occupation:  Legal advocate/ social worker
Education: Master’s in social science administration/
community development
Previous elected office held: None
Unsuccessful election bids: None
Family: Eight children, four of whom are adopted: Shaun, 20, Daniel, 19, Shane, 18, Kimberly, 17, Shannon, 13, Cheyanne, 12, Aliya, 10, and Alexis, 10

What is the most pressing issue facing the county?
George: Lorain County’s administration fails to recognize that job creation, crime reduction, recreational planning and other aspects of our social infrastructure are interrelated. We greatly minimize our job creation success because we have no plan to address these other very important issues.

Kokoski: The economy is causing many issues in our county. Because of joblessness, the crime rate has gone up, social services are serving more families, people are losing their homes and consumer spending is down. This negatively affects the general fund, which supports our county departments that deal with these issues.

Rednour: Joblessness, and the jobs available are low-paying jobs with no benefits.

How do you plan to solve that issue?
George: The county will lead in addressing all issues that hurt job growth. This starts with a crime reduction program and a recreational plan. Implementing a long-range plan will force us to address all aspects of the problems we face. At www.loraindavegeorge.com there is a good explanation of a long-range plan.

Kokoski: Continue to bring good-paying jobs to Lorain County. Since the formation of the Growth Partnership, we have seen record numbers of new jobs to our area (over 2,400 in the last two years).  Continue my relationship with Ford to assist them with their multimillion-dollar expansion in Avon Lake.

Rednour: Aggressively pursue employers and company owners to look at making their homes in Lorain County and sell to these future employers the resources we have to offer in the county. We have beautiful parks and recreation, lakefront, excellence in education (LCCC, Oberlin College and Tiffin University). Lorain County is a great place to raise a family.

Do you see any projects or issues that would need additional tax money in the near future? If so, what and how would you go about finding the funding?
George: Is a jail expansion needed? If so, a year is needed to assemble a long-range plan and give the public an opportunity to review the need. An informed electorate is the county’s responsibility. If the plan shows the need for a tax increase, the final decision must be the voters’.

Kokoski: The jail overcrowding issue is pressing.  Phase one of the jail study indicated that it is partly a systemic problem. We are waiting for phase two to see the costs associated with addressing this. We will have to rely on the study to determine how we will tackle this issue.

Rednour: I think that we need to look at sharing resources and spending less tax dollars on duplicate services and equipment within the county itself. I believe this would free up funding for other needs in the county.

What programs would you like to continue and/or expand, if nominated?
George: The job creation team is doing good work given the limitations placed on it. The long-range plan’s continuous improvement program addresses this. However, big improvements will come when lower crime and improved recreation are selling points for Lorain County’s job team.

Kokoski: The economic initiatives we’ve put in place have proven to be a success. I want to continue to work with our partners to attract, retain and expand businesses in Lorain County. Continue to work with the foreclosure task force to aid families in danger of losing their homes.

Rednour: I would definitely continue and expand the Lorain County Growth Partnership. Other counties have also used this platform to successfully develop existing businesses in their counties and attract new business from outside their counties.
 
What would you do differently than the current elected official you are running against?
George: I would implement a long-range plan that brings accountability, transparency and problem solving to related county issues like jobs, crime and closed YMCAs. Teachers, police, parents, etc., will be involved in finding solutions. The county will lead in collaboration between business, the public sector and non-profit organizations to reach goals.

Rednour: I would be more aggressive at bringing in new business and higher-paying jobs to the county by selling the assets of Lorain County (which we have many). I would also evaluate and suggest the county share resources among the departments to reduce costs around the county.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

Kokoski: Experience is essential to face our tough economic future. I have the hands-on experience as the incumbent and also from serving on city council. I have already proven that I am open, honest and fair.  I study the issues thoroughly and ask questions before making decisions that affect Lorain County.

 

 

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