Two candidates run for Medina City Council-at-Large seat in November election

Ed Isabella, 37 Education: Medina High School graduate with honors; Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Ohio State University. Family members: father, Jenny Blake Isabella; mother, Barbara Isabella; sister, Kelly Isabella. Job History: Licensed professional engineer in Ohio; employed at Intertek-PSI as a senior project manager in construction materials testing and inspection; previously employed at CTL Engineering as a department manager for construction materials testing and inspection. Website: tinyurl.com/3zf4648d James "Skip" Sipos, 65 Education: Bachelor of Business Administration from Cleveland State University; supplemental coursework in public housing administration; Leadership Medina County Class of '97; Public Housing Authorities Director Association Executive Education Program in conjunction with Rutgers University. Family: daughter, Gretchen Newton (principal at Ella Canavan Elementary in Medina), son-in-law Chase Newton and grandchildren, three-year-old Bethany and one-year-old Theo, along with certified therapy dog Kulu. Job History: Executive Director of the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority since 1994; Executive Director of the Buckeye Area Development Corporation from 1986 to 1994. Website: www.skipsipos4medina.com MEDINA — Two candidates are running for the open seat for Medina City Council at-large in the upcoming November election. The candidates include Ed Isabella and James "Skip" Sipos. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Isabella: My background as a civil engineer makes me the best choice to solve the sidewalk, roadway, and pedestrian safety issues in the city. My experience and knowledge will help make the street and roadway repair programs in the city more responsive and longer-lasting. That same experience also makes me the best choice to help improve our traffic congestion and pedestrian safety at the square. Sipos: I believe I am a well-qualified candidate for Medina City Council. My qualifications include 30+ years of public administration in Medina. I have worked closely with elected officials and government agencies to deliver public policy outcomes benefiting a wide range of constituencies. I have served on numerous boards and commissions, helping me learn about the complex intersections between government and social services designed to enhance the quality of life in Medina. I have strong relationships with key community stakeholders, including those in business, education, churches and government. I believe these qualifications are critically important at this point in Medina's history. What is the biggest challenge facing the city, and how would you address it? Isabella: Pedestrian safety, both on the square and in the neighborhoods. Our sidewalks are frequently impassable for residents with mobility issues, and the square, as a function of traffic and crosswalk design, is a common vehicle-on-pedestrian accident location. We can solve these by developing alternative roadways for large commercial vehicles and also by changing the parking layout and signal sequencing on the square; both items I have the professional experience to accomplish. Sipos: Medina has been blessed with exemplary leadership for a very long time. It is due to the vision and execution of Mayor (Dennis) Hanwell and Council. The transition coming to City Hall, though, is extremely challenging and requires the new council members to have demonstrated experience to sustain Medina's success. It requires effectively addressing the safety challenges of an ever-more bustling city while managing its financials in a fiscally responsible manner. And, it requires vigilance in ensuring public services remain top-notch to maintain Medina's reputation as a great place to live and do business. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.