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NEWTON FALLS -- The top two vote-getters in the May primary election for Newton Falls' 1st and 2nd Wards will appear on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.
In the 1st Ward race, Patricia Benetis and Michael Kren are vying for the council seat.
Current 1st Ward Councilman Gideon "Bud" Fetterolf is not seeking reelection. He was named to fill the term of Michael Serotko, who stepped down in 2022.
In the 2nd Ward race, Brian Axiotis and Condie Bright are seeking the seat on council.
Current 2nd Ward Councilman John Baryak will not be returning as he has met his term limit serving eight years.
1ST WARD
Benetis said she's been asked to run for city council since the homes of two council members were shot up in the '80s.
"These were two upstanding gentlemen, but some people in town were not happy with the way business was being conducted," she said. "At that time, I was a full-time teacher, coach, wife and mother. Now I have the time and energy to throw my hat into the ring and hopefully bring some stability to Newton Falls."
Benetis said she wants to see the village police department return, and residents have made this known to council. She added council should follow the will of the majority and be willing to listen, which she said she is ready to do.
"I have been very unhappy these last three or four years about the comings and goings of Newton Falls council," she said. "Because of that, I decided to 'throw my hat in the ring' and see if I could make some changes in how people view Newton Falls."
She says her first objective will be to bring back the Newton Falls city police. She said that was not a will of the people but the will of certain council members.
Kren says he wants to focus on improving the financial stability of the city and work toward better economic development.
He wants to find ways to bring more people to meetings and encourage them to listen and participate in future changes for the city.
"We need to use the resources and opportunities in this city, and find ways to expand on them for future growth," Kren said.
He also said "council must listen and move forward and not continually live in the past problems of Newton Falls."
"I think what I'm looking to do is improve on what we have and make changes for the betterment of this village. Use the resources we have and continue in a positive mode rather than arguing and moving in a negative mode," Kren said.
He continued, "I think we have some good opportunities in this city, and we need to continue to use them and expand on them."
Kren said he wants fresh ideas to be part of moving the village forward.
2ND WARD
Axiotis, who moved from the township to the village in 2007, said he has been involved in the community, attending meetings when time allows and stepping up to voice his opinion on issues.
He also has volunteered and served on the planning and zoning commission for the past few years. He resigned from that position to run for council.
Axiotis has said some level of ethics should be expected from elected officials.
He said he does not support the Smart Meters program and never saw a need for them.
"The city should have had in place a plan to replace so many meters a year on a continual basis. We don't need the 'smart' aspect that these meters provide," he said.
Axiotis said he is against repealing the tax credit for people who work outside Newton Falls but live in the village. He thinks people should not be penalized for deciding to bring the money they earn outside of town back to the village where they live. Axiotis said most folks already pay a city tax where they work and should not be doubled taxed.
He added he did not approve when council bought a former church building for city offices, noting the previous building was not in bad shape.
While he did not agree with eliminating the police department, he said the sheriff's office is doing a good job. He doesn't think it can continue long term though and wants to consider what it would take to get back the police department.
"As a council person, we should always take into consideration the cost and benefit to the people before we vote yes / no on issues," he said.
He also wants to focus on economic development to increase tax revenue.
Bright is looking to bring normalcy back to council.
"We are a small town. I would like to see things back to normal," he said.
Bright, who attends many council meetings, voices his concerns and asks questions, said he will focus on keeping the parks safe and address halfway houses in the community. He added he will look to keep roads in good condition, along with other improvements.
"We need to make the town beautiful again," he said.
Along with the other candidates, Bright wants to bring the police department back.
He said he will address getting new business in the community and make the village a place that businesses want to be. He believes the Dunkin' on state Route 5 is a good start.
Bright also wants to see people get along at council meetings
"It is important for officials and the public to get along," he said. "Everyone may not agree, and there is nothing wrong with disagreeing without fighting."
Bright, who is marking his first time running for office and has lived in the village since 2004, said he is retiring from his job in the public sector in October after 31 years. He will be able to focus his time as a council member serving the community.
MAYORAL RACE
David Hanson is running unopposed in the mayoral race as Kenneth Kline resigned as mayor in September to accept a new job in the public sector.
Kline submitted his resignation notice to the Trumbull County Board of Elections after serving as mayor for one term.
Hanson is marking his first time seeking election to the mayor's post, having run in the 1980s for Newton Township trustee.