ThisWeek CW 09/08/2011
Canal Winchester residents will see contested races for mayor and city council seats on the Nov. 8 ballot.
The Franklin County Board of Elections certified nominating petitions in August for incumbent Michael Ebert and for challenger John Bender in the Canal Winchester mayoral race.
Ebert was first elected mayor in 2007 as a write-in candidate and has served four years, prior to which he worked as a regional sales manager. He has lived in Canal Winchester since 1967 and is a graduate of Canal Winchester High School.
“It’s been a great pleasure and honor for me to serve the residents,” Ebert said. “Knowing the people of this fine city appreciate what I’ve done is what drives me to run again.”
Economic vitality is an important issue, he said.
“We continue to provide services our residents and businesses have become used to, which are second to none, and we will continue to address the economy as we have done for nearly four years now, as this has become my norm,” he said.
Bender has served on council for 16 years. He has spent the past 47 years as a teacher, school administrator and coach, including teaching English to natives on a small Pacific island, he said.
“I was born and raised here. I love Canal Winchester, the people, the history, the great future we can have,” Bender said. “I think (Ebert) has done a pretty good job serving as mayor. As with everyone else, our experiences are different.”
He said his experiences abroad taught him to better understand people from different backgrounds and to make effective use of resources.
“Probably the main issue we face is economic,” Bender said. “We need to be able to support businesses and help them through our infrastructure of streets, water, sewer and safety services.”
Five candidates are seeking election to three seats on city council: Current council members James Wynkoop, Marilyn Rush-Ekelberry and Rick Deeds are hoping to retain their seats, while Joe Abbott and Patrick Lynch hope to replace incumbents.
Wynkoop has served 13 years on the Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission and two years on council. He is a lifelong resident of the city.
“My difference is the experience I bring to council,” Wynkoop said. “(We) have worked hard to keep services high and costs low. My wish would be to keep residents’ well-being at the forefront of all government activities.”
Rush-Ekelberry has served four years on council and is a retired banking officer. She also is a lifelong resident of the city.
“I will continue my commitment of service to this community that I’m proud to call home,” she said. “And I will strive to attract commercial and light industrial development in targeted areas to assure a stable tax base for the city and schools.”
Deeds has served on council for 12 years and works as a management consultant. He has lived in Canal Winchester for 24 years.
He said his career consulting with other government municipalities gives him insight about how the city will deal with its issues.
“It will be important for us to compete at a global level by being easier to work with and providing a better location where businesses want to come and stay,” he said.
Abbott currently serves on the planning and zoning commission and is vice president of M.G. Abbott Electric. He is a lifelong resident of Canal Winchester.
“I’m passionate about our community and have a strong sense of what Canal Winchester means to its residents,” Abbot said. “I know firsthand the hard work and tough decisions involved with managing a small business in a recovering economy.”
He said those skills will be an asset on council.
Lynch currently serves as chairman of the Landmarks Commission and works in landscape design and construction. He has lived in the city for nine years.
“I see Canal Winchester as a hidden gem,” Lynch said. “I want to preserve our community’s rich culture for my grandchildren. I am proud of Canal Winchester (but) would sum up the current state of the city as stagnant. We need a fresh perspective that will encourage the input of the residents.”
He said he will apply his experience of listening to clients to having an open ear to the community.