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Third mayoral run unlikely, councilman says
(by Mike Klimko - December 23, 2008)
Third mayoral run unlikely, councilman says
By MIKE KLIMKO
Solon Councilman John T. Scott said last week he is not planning to run for mayor next year, although he would not completely rule out a third bid for the city's top job.
Mr. Scott, who was elected to his fourth term as Ward 3 councilman in 2007, said, "I probably won't be involved. When I ran for mayor, it was always for a reason. I had a platform. I felt something had to change."
"At this point, I haven't seen that. In these economic times, our revenues are holding together well. Our industrial area is heavily populated. And as long as I've been involved in government, we have the best department heads on staff."
Mr. Scott ran for mayor in 2001 and 2005. In 2001, he lost in the primary to Mayor Kevin C. Patton, who went on to re-election that November, and then-Councilman Richard A.F. Mendelsohn. Mr. Patton defeated Mr. Scott in the 2005 election, 4,780-3,074.
"It's a long, grueling effort," Mr. Scott said of running for mayor. "To go through that, you have to have a reason. I would say I would never say never. Things are running well," he said.
"Everybody has jelled together to build our retail and to keep the city as prosperous as it is. I hope people that are from my ward think, when I ran for mayor, that it wasn't personal. At this point, there's no reason to run."
Efforts to move ahead with redevelopment of the city's retail areas over the past two years presented the greatest challenge to the administration and council, Mr. Scott said. Officials dealt with two developers who brought major projects involving the SOM Centre shopping plaza and the Solar Center shopping center, but both eventually were abandoned.
"We made a valiant effort to build our retail," Mr. Scott said. "We tried to preserve the prosperity of the city. We had a good working relationship with Coral. It failed, but not for a lack of effort. We got a bad break from the economy."
The professionalism of city employees has never been more evident, Mr. Scott said, including Public Works Director James S. Stanek, Service Director Thomas G. Bandiera, sewage-treatment plant director Paul Solanics and golf course manager Gary Mazzeo.
Construction on Pettibone Road is another step forward for the city, Mr. Scott said. The project was part of his platform in previous bids for mayor, he said.
Mr. Patton said, "I think most people, including myself, have had their fill of the campaign and election process for awhile. Certainly, Solon had a busy, challenging and successful year. Much was addressed. And much was accomplished," he said.
"Right now, my interest is in finishing 2008 strong and putting together objectives and projects to move us forward on solid ground in the new year. So I'm not planning on dealing with the campaign or the election process until further along in 2009."
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