Joe Miller for Amherst Council
Content
The Morning Journal
Election Questionnaire
Date questionnaire completed: 10/7/13 Office sought: Amherst City Council At Large
Political party: Democrat Name: Joe Miller Age: 44 Date of birth: 6/28/1969 Place of birth: Amherst Home address: 433 Northpointe Blvd Length of residence in that community: 25+ years Twitter: Miller4Amherst Facebook: Joe Miller Campaign Web site: www.joemillerforamherst.com Occupation: Teacher Employer: Firelands Local Schools Business address: 10643 Vermilion Rd., Oberlin, OH Elected office experience: Appointed to Amherst City Council in January of 2013 to fill vacancy. Currently Chair of Community Development and Recycling committees.
Non-elected office experience (boards, etc.): Appointed by current Mayor to Board of Zoning Appeals in January of 2012. Current Financial Secretary and past Grand Knight and Trustee of Amherst Knights of Columbus, current Northpointe Home Owners Association Board member, current Officer in the Amherst Democratic Organization, and golf event chairman for the Citizens For Amherst Schools. Education (Please only list schools you’ve graduated from and list degrees if applicable): BGSU-Bachelor of Science, Ashland University-Masters of Education Marital status: Married Name of spouse: Kelly nee Szalay Name and age of any children: Joseph 7 and Jordan 5 Organizations: Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 4891, Amherst Democratic Organization, American Legion Post 118, Amherst Eagles Aerie 1442, Amherst Historical Society, United States Golf Teaching Federation, Lake Erie Basketball Officiating Association, Northern Ohio Officials Association and Main Street Amherst. Should you be elected, what are three specific areas you’d like to change, address, improve or further research, and how specifically would you go about it?: In addition to supporting the long term planning of fiscally responsible efforts of water management in the city, the three areas of attention in the city are a 1) city wide alert and notification system, 2) updating of antiquated ordinances and 3) planned growth of businesses in the commercially zoned areas of Amherst. As the current At Large Councilman, I have noticed the lack of synergy between the city, police and schools when it comes to information dissemination and inefficient method of delivery, especially in terms of emergency information, disruption of services or helpful information that would better serve our residents if they had immediate access. Although our police and schools are making strides in these areas, our current cable fund is not being utilized to its full potential as many residents do not subscribe to the local cable and have the public access channel. An alert system tiered and delivered in multiple modes of medium can be done in a cost effective manner and within the current budget. I am currently working with other members of council to achieve this goal. Whether it is the issue of chickens, signs or property use, I believe many of our codified ordinances need to be updated to better serve the residents and businesses of Amherst. I would like to continue to work with our fellow council members and the law director in conjunction with the mayor’s office to get this done. Thirdly, Lorain’s current development on the back of Martin’s Run is just one example that shows that natural barriers and proper structural planning is needed when commercial areas are developed so that we can ease the impact on both residents and the city’s infrastructure. _____________________________________________________________________________
Whether for past accomplishments or future goals, why should voters elect you? In the short time I have been on council, I have proven that I can work with fellow council members, the mayor’s office and the rest of our city’s departments to find working solutions to problems that my neighbors have brought before me. I have been a quick study of the city’s finances and ordinances, experienced with researching issues, and coming prepared to thoughtfully consider our residents and city’s problems while working with any city official interested in finding win-win solutions for the residents of the city I grew up in and in which we are currently raising a family. I take this opportunity to serve seriously and thank the people of Amherst for the opportunity to advocate for their families as well.
NOTE TO CANDIDATES: Please be aware that this questionnaire will be published.
Election Questionnaire
Date questionnaire completed: 10/7/13 Office sought: Amherst City Council At Large
Political party: Democrat Name: Joe Miller Age: 44 Date of birth: 6/28/1969 Place of birth: Amherst Home address: 433 Northpointe Blvd Length of residence in that community: 25+ years Twitter: Miller4Amherst Facebook: Joe Miller Campaign Web site: www.joemillerforamherst.com Occupation: Teacher Employer: Firelands Local Schools Business address: 10643 Vermilion Rd., Oberlin, OH Elected office experience: Appointed to Amherst City Council in January of 2013 to fill vacancy. Currently Chair of Community Development and Recycling committees.
Non-elected office experience (boards, etc.): Appointed by current Mayor to Board of Zoning Appeals in January of 2012. Current Financial Secretary and past Grand Knight and Trustee of Amherst Knights of Columbus, current Northpointe Home Owners Association Board member, current Officer in the Amherst Democratic Organization, and golf event chairman for the Citizens For Amherst Schools. Education (Please only list schools you’ve graduated from and list degrees if applicable): BGSU-Bachelor of Science, Ashland University-Masters of Education Marital status: Married Name of spouse: Kelly nee Szalay Name and age of any children: Joseph 7 and Jordan 5 Organizations: Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council 4891, Amherst Democratic Organization, American Legion Post 118, Amherst Eagles Aerie 1442, Amherst Historical Society, United States Golf Teaching Federation, Lake Erie Basketball Officiating Association, Northern Ohio Officials Association and Main Street Amherst. Should you be elected, what are three specific areas you’d like to change, address, improve or further research, and how specifically would you go about it?: In addition to supporting the long term planning of fiscally responsible efforts of water management in the city, the three areas of attention in the city are a 1) city wide alert and notification system, 2) updating of antiquated ordinances and 3) planned growth of businesses in the commercially zoned areas of Amherst. As the current At Large Councilman, I have noticed the lack of synergy between the city, police and schools when it comes to information dissemination and inefficient method of delivery, especially in terms of emergency information, disruption of services or helpful information that would better serve our residents if they had immediate access. Although our police and schools are making strides in these areas, our current cable fund is not being utilized to its full potential as many residents do not subscribe to the local cable and have the public access channel. An alert system tiered and delivered in multiple modes of medium can be done in a cost effective manner and within the current budget. I am currently working with other members of council to achieve this goal. Whether it is the issue of chickens, signs or property use, I believe many of our codified ordinances need to be updated to better serve the residents and businesses of Amherst. I would like to continue to work with our fellow council members and the law director in conjunction with the mayor’s office to get this done. Thirdly, Lorain’s current development on the back of Martin’s Run is just one example that shows that natural barriers and proper structural planning is needed when commercial areas are developed so that we can ease the impact on both residents and the city’s infrastructure. _____________________________________________________________________________
Whether for past accomplishments or future goals, why should voters elect you? In the short time I have been on council, I have proven that I can work with fellow council members, the mayor’s office and the rest of our city’s departments to find working solutions to problems that my neighbors have brought before me. I have been a quick study of the city’s finances and ordinances, experienced with researching issues, and coming prepared to thoughtfully consider our residents and city’s problems while working with any city official interested in finding win-win solutions for the residents of the city I grew up in and in which we are currently raising a family. I take this opportunity to serve seriously and thank the people of Amherst for the opportunity to advocate for their families as well.
NOTE TO CANDIDATES: Please be aware that this questionnaire will be published.
