Thegatewaynews.com - Ciofani 'excited' to be on Council for six months

by Miles
Jung-Kilbreath

Reporter

Streetsboro -- New Council member Nick Ciofani hopes to make the most out of his six months on the legislative panel.

"It feels like [Streetsboro] is turning the corner and it's exciting to be a part of it," he said.

Ciofani, who currently works as a district outreach representative for U.S. Representative Steven LaTourette and is the supervisor of his Twinsburg office, was elected by Council to fill an at-large Council seat, which was vacated in May when Art Scott was elected acting mayor by Council.

The term is up in November after the November general election is certified and a new Council member can be sworn in. Ciofani said he does not plan to run for one of the three at-large seats during the November election.

He said he's not running so the public can see his decisions are free from political motivation.

"I want to come in and make my mark and hope the next Council is able to continue that work," he said.

Ciofani said the biggest challenge in the next six months will be deciding how to spend new revenue coming to the city after the May passage of Issue 3, the city's income tax proposal.

The issue will raise between $2.5 million and $3 million for the city in 2010, according to Scott.

With the funds, the city should consider improving its infrastructure, determine its proper staffing levels and start saving funds that could possibly be used as a tax break or credit for residents down the road.

"Right now, we just have to monitor our day-to-day spending and make sure that it is used for the citizens," said Ciofani.

While on Council, Ciofani said he wants to help the city reach out more to county, state and federal elected officials.

With better relationships with government officials, the city has better opportunities to receive grants and stimulus money, he said.

"Whether people like it or not, the government is spending more than ever and we should take advantage of that," said Ciofani.

Ciofani also said that he wants to gain back residents' trust in city government, which he believes can be done if Council makes the right "moves and decisions."

"We need to determine the correct use of the income tax money. If we can show how we are using that to the benefit of the citizens, it would be positive for the city," Ciofani said.

mjung-kilbreath@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3942