NILES — Voters in Niles will decide Nov. 4 which two of four candidates will fill the city’s at-large council seats. Democrat Incumbents Michael Lastic and Jimmy Julian face challengers Edward D. Stredney, also a Democrat, and Geo Kuriatnyk, had no party affiliation on the ballot, each bringing distinct perspectives to the race.

With a projected voter turnout of about 20%, the candidates are focusing on economic development, housing and community improvements to shape the city’s future.

LASTIC

Incumbent Lastic, a Democrat who has served on Niles City Council for a number of terms, talked about his long-standing commitment to the city’s best interests.

“I do what’s best for the city of Niles. That’s why I’m still here. I don’t listen to the noise,” Lastic said. Initially elected as a Second Ward councilman, he transitioned to an at-large seat and has since focused on collaborative efforts to address city needs.

Lastic highlighted the council’s proactive approach to housing, particularly in anticipation of economic growth spurred by Kimberly-Clark’s nearby operations. “A lot of new employees will be coming into the county as a whole, and we want to be upfront. Be ahead of it so that we could offer dwellings that are acceptable to whatever they need — whether there be condos, houses, apartments,” he said. He also praised recent developments, such as the riverfront park transformation, noting, “Every side street has something on it.”

Reflecting on voter turnout, Lastic expressed concern about the projected 20% participation, equivalent to roughly 1,500 to 2,000 votes out of 7,800 registered voters.

“People have to… get out. This is what happens for the city,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of local elections. Lastic’s campaign strategy mirrors his council philosophy: “If you don’t do it together, it’s never gonna happen.”

STREDNEY

Stredney, a former Third Ward councilman who served for 10 years, is seeking an at-large seat to rejoin Niles’ legislative body. With his youngest child now in college, Stredney said he has the time to reengage. “I’ve always loved being involved in the city. This is my opportunity to run and get back involved,” he said.

Stredney aims to build on the city’s recent progress, particularly in economic development and park improvements.

“Continue working with the city council on bettering the parks and keep moving the city forward,” he said, noting the positive trajectory under the current council. He stressed the need for better communication about economic opportunities, such as grants for business upgrades.

“There are certain opportunities that some businesses just don’t even know about because the city does not have a mechanism to advertise it,” he said, citing exterior upgrade programs for businesses on Main Street and Robbins Avenue.

On housing, Stredney sees potential in leveraging programs like first-time homebuyer grants to attract residents, especially with developments like Kimberly-Clark. “We need a mechanism to get that out there… to target companies like that,” he said. He also praised recent park enhancements, including the canoe launch and splash pad, as steps toward a vibrant community.

JULIAN

Incumbent Jimmy Julian, a younger voice on the council since 2021, is running for his fourth term as an at-large councilman.

“I got in back in 2021 just because I wanted to make a difference in my community,” Julian said. “I believe it’s important for younger people, to be invested in their community and to try to make it a better place to live in.”

Julian highlighted his learning curve since joining the council, particularly in understanding city finances and grant pursuits.

“It really wasn’t until I got on council and saw the information regarding different pieces of legislation, I really learned how the city operates,” he said. He takes pride in projects like the downtown revitalization, including the town square, event center and kayak launch, as well as Waddell Park’s upgrades.

“Those are things that I think will help the quality of life for the citizens of Niles. It will attract younger families to want to live here,” he said.

Looking forward, Julian prioritizes economic development, particularly the industrial park project on the former GE plant site.

“Bringing businesses, bringing jobs, making Niles as business-friendly as possible,” he said. He also emphasized housing opportunities, noting Niles’ affordable cost of living as a draw for workers from nearby developments like Kimberly-Clark. “We can take advantage of housing to try to make people want to move to this area,” he said, stressing the need for proactive planning.

On potential challenges like federal funding cuts or property tax changes, Julian acknowledged the difficulty. “We’re just being told, ‘Here, we’re gonna make your job a lot harder, but go figure it out,'” he said, adding that the council would need to explore alternative revenue sources and communicate impacts to residents transparently. Regarding the projected 20% voter turnout, Julian expressed disappointment: “I would want that number to be a little bit higher… I encourage people to get out and perform their civic duty on Nov. 4.”

KURIATNYK

Kuriatnyk, a challenger who has previously run for mayor and council, is motivated by a desire to redirect Niles’ priorities.

“I want to run as council because I want to clean the city up,” he said, focusing on blight along the Route 422 corridor. “It’s just a mess… businesses closed down, broken windows, rusted signs.”

Kuriatnyk criticized the current council’s spending, particularly on downtown revitalization and park projects. “They’re not doing a bad job, but they just have too much money going to the wrong places,” he said, noting that many residents don’t use the park.

Kuriatnyk’s priorities include cleaning up neglected areas, such as the Third and Fourth Wards, where he highlighted unsafe sidewalks.

“You got sidewalks down there and kids walking to school can’t even walk on the sidewalks. Money should be spent on sidewalks,” he said. He also proposed a housing initiative to address the city’s high rental rate, which he claims is 43%. “Instead of tearing these houses down… let somebody feel a sense of pride and give them the opportunity to buy that house,” he said, suggesting a city program to help vetted renters transition to homeownership through affordable payment plans.

On the projected 20% voter turnout, Kuriatnyk called it “embarrassing.” “When you go on these social media sites, everybody’s… whining. When’s the last time you went to a council meeting and addressed it? You didn’t,” he said, urging residents to engage directly or vote, including through mail-in or early voting options. “I’ve lost twice now… and I’m still going to be here, running, because I want to change the city,” he added.