The Mayor's Slate
Why has Mayor John Pribonic endorsed these candidates?
If you’ve read through the rest of this site, you’ve become aware of the obstructionism that’s infected City Council. If you haven't yet, start with the articles on the home page.
Instead of focusing on filling pot holes, adding new businesses and planning a better Stow for the future, we have members of council consumed with micromanaging administrative functions of the city and passing laws and charter amendments that frankly don’t improve our city’s operation or make a difference in Stow residents’ lives.
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Stow’s elections are non-partisan. But you’d never know that from City Council’s behavior. Right now there is a coalition of five councilmembers who vote lockstep on any initative aimed at thwarting progress in Stow.
It’s time for a change. Below is an introduction to the Mayor’s Slate of Candidates – people vetted by Mayor John Pribonic and with whom he feels he can move the city forward to the benefit of all Stow residents. Each candidate provided their background information and a statement on why they are running for office. The editorial team of Stow Sunshine Project weighs in on each candidate.
Jaime Syx – For Law Director
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Re-established the Neighborhood Mediation Program
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Co-creator of “Safety in Stow” videos; a collaborative effort with the Stow Police Department to keep citizens safe
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Educates our senior population about scams and how to prevent them from becoming victims
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Speaks to our elementary students about the legal system and how to be aware of their surroundings
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Works hard every day toward her goal of crime prevention
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Oversees the Stow Law Department, which drafted more than 750 pieces of legislation and prosecuted more than 15,000 cases in Stow Municipal Court.
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Legal Advisor to all elected officials in the City of Stow, including the Mayor, Finance Director, City Council, Stow Municipal Judges and Clerk of Court
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Why I’m running for re-election:
“I’ve spent the last four years keeping Stow safe. The more knowledge our citizens have, the better equipped they will be to stay safe and make good decisions. Through community outreach and innovative educational sessions, I want to be sure that residents have the best tools to protect themselves and strive for a safer community.”
Why we’re endorsing Jaime Syx for re-election as Law Director
Syx is running unopposed. But, aside from that, it’s worth noting her efforts and accomplishments. She has been a steady hand at the wheel, going beyond the job requirements to provide valuable community outreach to our senior and youth populations.
Kelly Toppin – For Finance Director
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25-year resident of Stow
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More than 30 years’ experience in the insurance and financial services industry through two family-owned businesses in Stow
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Currently serves as treasurer of Stow’s Citizens for Non-Partisan Politics and the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District Levy Committee
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Previously served on the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District Board of Education.
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Why I’m running for election:
“I am running for Finance Director as a way I can give back to the community. I am proud to be a Stow resident and want to see this community grow and succeed in the future. I feel that being able to help the community move forward in a positive direction is the best way I can give back to the community. I look forward to working with the administration and council as we continue to make Stow a great place to live.”
Why we’re endorsing Kelly Toppin for Finance Director
Toppin also is running unopposed, but it's worth mentioning his many years of financial services business and volunteer experience in the city of Stow, including as a prior member of the Stow-Munroe Falls school board, so he offers a wealth of knowledge and lived experience for how this city’s finances should run.
Cyle Feldman – For Council At-Large
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City Council member for four years, serves as chair of the Roads & Safety Committee and is a member of the Finance and Public Improvements Committees
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Class of 1985 graduate from Stow-Munroe Falls High School, with an undergraduate degree in Health and Biology Education and Master's degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University
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Has served as the Athletic Director for Stow-Munroe Falls High School for the past 21 years and earned the prestigious NEOIAAA Meritorious Service Award in 2013.
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Why I’m running for re-election:
“I consider it a privilege to serve the residents of Stow and feel my work with Stow-Munroe Falls High School provides an important bridge between the city’s and schools’ operations in areas that impact everyone, like infrastructure, facilities, development and safety. My commitment to ensuring we Move Stow Forward is unwavering. I’m dedicated to making Stow an ever-better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Why we’re endorsing Cyle Feldman for a third term as At-Large Councilperson
Feldman brings extensive experience, education and a proven track record of service to the community. Although he’s been a minority voice on a number of contentious votes in City Council, he continues to serve with respect, humility and dignity and exemplifies positive leadership for students and adults alike who meet him. Given the opportunity to take on additional leadership roles on council, he would no doubt contribute to the growth and prosperity of the City of Stow. See Cyle Feldman's Report Card.
David Licate – For Council At-Large
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As a current At-Large City Councilperson, Licate serves on the Public Improvements and Planning Commitees. Other public service includes appointments to the Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools Facilities Committee and the Stow Public Safety Services Commission. He has consulted for various policing and homeland security agencies on the topics of policing strategies and counterterrorism.
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Works at the University of Akron, where he is a professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice Studies and a fellow at the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies.
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Served as a member and president of the Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education from 2016-2020.
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While on the school board, Licate founded and chaired the district’s Security Committee and continues to serve as a volunteer.
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Why I’m running for re-election:
“On council, I have used my years of leadership experience to sponsor legislation that increases the quality of life for Stow residents. Whether it's legislation that implements a better process for dealing with nuisance properties, protects disabled individuals from disclosing personal information when requesting a zoning change, improves the noise ordinance, or provides funding to trim overgrown trees, my actions have been focused on solving practical problems for Stow residents. During my first term, I held monthly office hours, visited residents in need, and responded to calls for service. I will continue to be available for residents and look forward to working with Mayor Pribonic to move Stow toward a better future.”
Why we’re endorsing David Licate for a second term as At-Large Councilperson
In the minority on a number of contentious issues, Licate has been a steady voice of reason and maintains his decorum and professionalism despite the surrounding three-ring circus at some City Council meetings. When he’s bucked the majority on a vote, he’s explained in plain English what his reasoning is, and why it represents the best interests of the city and all of its residents. His efforts to maintain civility and collaboration exemplifies the kind of public leaders Stow deserves.
He seeks out feedback from Stow residents – he and Feldman hold public office hours nearly every month for residents to speak directly with them. He’s sponsored legislation that will have a measurable and positive impact on the lives of Stow residents. The addition of several more reasonable councilpersons would enable Licate to take on a leadership role at council that would no doubt move the city forward on many fronts. See David Licate’s report card.
Kyle Herman – For Council At-Large
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Grew up in Stow and graduated from Stow-Munroe Falls High School before earning degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government
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Taught high school history and civics
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Served in the Obama administration, writing correspondence for the president
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Served as assistant to the Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia
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Managed pro-democracy programs in Lebanon and Iraq for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
Why I’m running for election:
"I settled back home in Stow to lead a non-partisan non-profit that works to bridge political divides in Ohio. Mayor Pribonic appointed me to Stow's Civil Service Commission, and friends encouraged me to run for council so that I could use my public policy skills to help Stow thrive. I want to give back to my hometown by focusing on cooperation on local non-partisan issues like our safety, our development, and our sustainability, so that Stow can be a city that works for everyone."
Why we’re endorsing Kyle Herman for Council At-Large
City Council should represent a broad cross-section of the community and adding Herman would bring a youthful voice and viewpoint to the table. Although he’s lived in Stow much of his life, his education and work have taken him across the country and the globe, giving him experiences that may provide ideas and insights not otherwise considered. Having served in the administration of another city, in particular, would enable Herman to share best practices from that experience in helping Stow to navigate complicated issues like zoning, development and safety. On top of that, people who serve in public office need a thick skin.
After being rejected twice without cause by City Council for a position on the Planning Commission, Herman took the leap to apply for an opening on the Civil Service Commission. (Read about the commission appointments debacle.) His positive outlook, prior public service and willingness to roll up his sleeves to find practical solutions to complicated issues makes him an excellent choice for Council-At-Large.
In endorsing Cyle Feldman, David Licate and Kyle Herman for the three Council At-Large positions, we are effectively recommending that Stow voters not return Jeremy McIntire to City Council. See McIntire’s report card to learn why.
Nick Stoiber – For Ward 1 City Council
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Grew up in Silver Lake, graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School and earned a degree in Marketing from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina
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Works in sales for Wolters Kluwer Health, a large healthcare technology company
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Married with three young children, made the decision to raise his family in Stow, moving to our community in 2016
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Why I’m running for election:
“I'm incredibly proud to have started my family right here in Stow. My wife, Erin and I look forward to raising our kids here. For the last decade, we've seen other cities execute a vision of development to foster a stronger sense of community and provide families the amenities they deserve. My plan for a stronger Stow has three components - support our local business community, commit to responsible development, and remove politics from local decision making.
I'm running for City Council because Stow deserves responsible leadership with a clear vision for the future!”
Why we’re endorsing Nick Stoiber for Ward 1 Councilman
Ward 1 Stow residents deserve a change and it would be refreshing to have someone representing young families on council to help craft the future of Stow. Stoiber didn’t grow up in Stow, he made the decision to raise his young family in Stow in 2016. His input on council as a “transplant” would be a good way to ensure that our city is welcoming to all.
Additionally, after the death of Ward 1 Councilman Dennis Altieri, City Council re-appointed former, term-limited Councilman Matt Riehl without interviewing any of the other applicants. That defied the spirit of Stow’s charter amendment on term limits for council as well as the overall idea of public transparency and sense of fairness. Since then, Riehl has missed a significant number of council meetings and has contributed little on behalf of residents in Ward 1 or the rest of Stow. Read Matt Riehl’s Report Card.
Kelly Coffey – For Ward 2 City Council
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Grew up in Huron, Ohio, and earned an undergraduate degree in Math and English Education from Ashland University and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Walden University.
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Worked 12 years as a Therapeutic Specialty Representative for Pfizer, completing her graduate degree in the evening while working full-time.
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Married with two children, moved to Stow nearly 10 years ago. Her husband is a native of Stow and her parents, brother, sister and their families also now live in Stow.
Why I’m running for election:
“I’m running for council because I’m passionate about 3 things. One, I want to get a resource officer in each of our schools. We currently have a police officer at almost all of the schools, but if we added a couple more, we would have one at every school. Jackson Township did this successfully without a tax increase, so we would emulate their model. I have an MBA in finance, and I’m fiscally conservative. Two, I want to generate top line growth, rather than increasing taxes. We can do this through economic development and supporting small businesses.
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I worked in business for a Fortune 50 company for almost 13 years, and council is mostly business decisions. I also want to invest in our infrastructure, including roads, parks and other economic development opportunities. Three, I want to bring unity to council and to the city by working cooperatively with the mayor, council, and administration. My entire family lives in Stow. I care about people, young and old. I want to be a voice of our neighbors and help people.”
Why we’re endorsing Kelly Coffey for Ward 2 Councilperson
Ward 2 Stow residents deserve a positive voice on council, not someone (Sindi Harrison) whose mission has become to obstruct the popular programs and projects of Mayor John Pribonic and prevent Stow residents from being able to publicly address their elected officials. See Sindi Harrison’s report card. Kelly Coffey has tremendous energy and a vision for how she can help in areas that are important to the residents of Stow.
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Currently, Chief Financial Officer for the Akron Urban League, which is a local non-profit organization. He is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and a Master in Business Administration.
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Was Stow’s elected Director of Finance for 24 years. During that time, he was the Treasurer for Stow’s Community Improvement Corporation, Stow’s Past Chairman/Member of the Records Commission, Member of the Fox Den Acquisition Committee, and a Member of the Summit County CAD/Dispatch Acquisition Committee. He developed Stow’s current Debt Reduction Program and balanced the City’s Operating Budget for all 24 years in office.
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Received the State of Ohio Auditor’s awards for the City’s Audits and Financial Reporting. Those awards were the State of Ohio Auditor’s Award (5 years), State of Ohio Auditor’s Award with Distinction (3 years), and the State of Ohio Auditor’s Award Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (18 years).
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Active in the Stow Community as a Trustee and Past President of the Stow Historical Society for over 20 years. He is a member of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce. He served as Chairman of Stow’s 2020 Charter Review Commission. He is a former youth basketball and baseball coach for Stow Parks Recreation, Stow Youth Baseball, Holy Family, and AAU.
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Why I’m running for election:
“During my 24 years as Stow’s Director of Finance, I worked hard to move Stow forward during the difficult financial times by being fiscally responsible, responsive to the City’s needs, and respectful to all residents and the business community. I want to continue to serve the City of Stow as your elected member of City Council, representing all of the residents of Ward 3. If elected, I believe my proven record of dedication to the best interests of the City of Stow will benefit the residents of Ward 3 and our entire community.”
John Baranek – For Ward 3 City Council
Why we’re endorsing John Baranek for Ward 3 Councilman
Baranek has tremendous depth of knowledge of Stow and a history of excellent service. When he first became the city's Finance Director, the city had a rainy day fund of $100,000. When he was term-limited out of the position in 2019, he'd navigated the city to a rainy day fund of $3.9 million.
Ward 3 residents deserve a change to someone who can offer valuable insights and positive action for the future of Stow rather than obstructing important initiatives. Brian Lowdermilk was term-limited out of council, sat out for one term and then ran again. He’s a recognized name, but during the time he’s served in council, other communities like Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson and Kent made huge improvements to their downtown areas to improve the quality of life in those communities and bring in new businesses and income.
Meanwhile, Lowdermilk has helped oversee the addition of more car washes. See Lowdermilk’s report card. Baranek has been active in various organizations throughout the community and can provide practical guidance in reviewing the administration’s agenda.
Jared Miller – For Ward 4 City Council
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Graduated from Willoughby South and earned a degree in Business Administration with a minor in information technology from Kent State University
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Has lived in Stow since 1999
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Works currently as a business relationship manager in the healthcare industry
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Why I’m running for election:
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“My wife and I started volunteering by adopting flower beds in the city of Stow. I moved on to volunteer with the Planning Commission, on which I've served for several years. I am running for City Council to continue a forward movement for our city.”
Why we’re endorsing Jared Miller for Ward 4 Councilman
The residents of Ward 4 deserve a councilperson who is fully engaged in the issues of Stow, willing to ask questions, provide his/her own input, bring thoughtful ideas to the floor and vote with an independent voice. Having volunteered as a member of the Planning Commission for several years and now serving as its chair, Miller has shown his capacity to be all these things. In Planning Commission meetings, he asks thoughtful and direct questions while engaging in respectful conversations with city officials and citizens who have business before the commission.
Conversely, current Ward 4 Councilperson Mario Fiocca is perhaps best known for just showing up. He votes consistently with Jeremy McIntire while rarely voicing his own opinion on any legislative matters. Worse yet, as chair of council’s Planning Committee, he asks no questions at all and instead relies on the input and questioning of other council members. See Mario Fiocca’s Report Card. Ward 4 residents deserve better than that.