Jim Leonard

QUESTIONS: Office sought: North Ridgeville City Council at Large Political party: Democratic Age: 53 Place of birth: Lorain Home address: 6399 Avon Belden Rd, North Ridgeville Length of residence in that community: 13 Campaign website: www.LeonardForCouncil.com Campaign email: LeonardForCouncil@gmail.com Occupation: Library Associate Employer: Lorain Public Library System for 26 years; past 10 years at the North Ridgeville Branch Library

Elected office experience: NA Education (please list only schools graduated from and degrees): Cleveland State University B.A. Lorain County Community College A.A. Lorain Catholic High School Diploma Marital status: Single Name of spouse: NA Organizations: Executive Board Member, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199, previously held the position of grievance chair. North Ridgeville Democrats Treasurer

Should you be elected what are three specific areas youd like to change, address, improve or further research, and how specifically would you go about it? North Ridgeville is experiencing a continuing housing boom. Even in the depths of the Great Recession developers continued to build. City Hall has approved 3,000 additional homes. These new homes will continue to add to the recurring flooding of existing homes and sewage backups which threaten our families health and financial well being. Additionally these new homes bring more road congestion, more classroom crowding, and demands for fire, police, and EMS service. In addition to the houses, we will have new shopping and business buildings and an increase in paved surfaces that will require handling more rain water runoff. The current administration has not solved or reduced the flooding problem. Changes to the building codes will make incremental progress to reduce flooding. Cooperation with Avon to improve water flow in French Creek will reduce flooding. Improvements to drainage through the south and south west waterways will reduce the affects of new houses in that area of the city.

Whether for past accomplishments or future goals, why should voters elect you? While walking in our neighborhoods, residents have shown me the damage to their homes, the issues that must be resolved, and shared their concerns about the odd priorities and lack of action on the part of the current council. It is import to listen to the residents and their concerns and issues about the city and address their issues and concerns. As a union officer, I have stood up for my fellow workers and negotiated for equitable pay and good healthcare coverage. This has taught me how to work with others to make a situation win win for all. I will stand up for North Ridgeville residents.