NEWTON FALLS — An at-large councilwoman is being challenged by a former ward councilman for an at-large seat on village council, and a former councilman and former council candidate are competing for the village’s 1st Ward seat as Patricia Benetis has chosen not to seek reelection.

For council at-large, incumbent Julie Stimpert is being challenged by John Baryak, who served as 2nd Ward councilman until his term ended in December 2023. In the 1st Ward, Brian Kropp and Julie Lemon are seeking to replace Benetis. The four candidates also will appear on the general election ballot in November because Newton Falls has non-partisan elections.

No candidate has filed to run for the 3rd Ward seat. Bob Burke was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Brenda Persino, who resigned in December.

COUNCIL AT-LARGE RACE

Stimpert said her focus areas are infrastructure improvements, community relationship building and driving economic growth.

“I believe these initiatives are essential for ensuring the town’s continued growth and prosperity,” Stimpert said. “We need to invest in the basics from roads to our public spaces to ensure Newton Falls remains a safe, accessible and thriving place for everyone.”

She said the heart of Newton Falls lies in the people “with strengthening our community relationships and fostering connections among residents is something I deeply care about.”

Stimpert said she would seek grants to help with infrastructure improvements such as roads, sidewalks and parks and also discuss with council and the city manager what projects are needed based on money that is available.

As for community relations building, Stimpert wants to continue the trust that has developed between council and the public. She said council will always be transparent with the residents, which is key to strengthening the relationship.

Stimpert said for economic development, it is important to appreciate and support the businesses and local shops and to expand on what the community has.

Baryak, who served more than eight years as 2nd Ward councilman, said he will bring his experience to the current council.

“I will bring my experience and expertise to work with the council to help with moving the village forward and to make sure any problem is answered. My goal will be to work for the betterment of the community,” Baryak said, noting he is retired and will have time to serve.

Baryak said he would like to see the community cleaned up more by strengthening zoning and getting crews to use street sweepers and other equipment. He said the police chief and the zoning inspector can work together to focus on zoning violations.

He said as an at-large councilman, he will represent all residents while working to move the city toward a financially solvent future.

Baryak said he feels the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office has done a great job protecting the community but questions how to bring back the village police department.

“I’d like to have a police department, but we have to look at it and need to know how to fund it,” he said.

Baryak said he would like to see a part-time chief and another sheriff deputy hired.

1ST WARD

Lemon said her top priority will be to bring back the village police department, but it will take time. All avenues and ways will need to be considered, such as a possible tax increase approved by the voters, she said.

“We need to look over the finances. It will not be an easy quick fix since it will cost more for a police department. If the voters were to pass a levy, 100% of it would be for the police department,” Lemon said.

She said it also is important to build up the public’s trust in council with past councils having broken that trust.

Lemon said she would work to get grants to help with projects and also wants to see finances used for better purposes.

As for the 1st Ward, Lemon said she is concerned with flooding issues and water pools on Ridge Road, which is a heavily traveled road. Lemon said she is knowledgeable on the city charter and how it works since she served on the charter review board as its secretary.

“It is important that council and the administration make sure the charter is followed. I understand how the charter works,” she said.

Lemon said as a member of council, she will set an example and “give back to the community I love.”

Kropp said one issue he is addressing as chairman of the village planning commission is that the commission does not have a clerk or individual to take the minutes of the meeting, with a member of the commission serving as the clerk.

He said the commission has three members, but there are five seats. However, it is still enough to have a quorum.

Kropp said the city is in the process of getting a new city manager, who can be part of working to get the commission and other boards an individual to serve as a clerk to record and take the meeting minutes.

He said other boards that also have been struggling without a clerk or enough members to be able to meet are the treasury investment board and parks and recreation.

Kropp said closer to the November general election, he will focus on other issues that he will address as a member of council because both candidates will be on the November ballot.