The candidates, voting information and issues that will affect Kent.
As we look ahead to the May 7 primary elections, Kent Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Kent City Council At-Large (Democratic ballot only) -- Choose three.
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If approved, levy would generate $4.25 million per year
Kent voters will be asked to approve an 8.9-mill operating levy request from Kent City Schools. The continuing operating levy, Issue 8 on the ballot, would raise $4.25 million per year for the school district. It would cost the owner of a house valued at $100,000 for tax purposes $272.56 per year. This year marks the first year ever that the district earned the highest possible rating from the Ohio Department of Education on the latest state report cards measuring school success. Data published in October by the ODE shows Kent schools earned an "Excellent with Distinction" rating — the highest of six possible ratings issued by the state.
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9:04 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
I'm voting yes, Linda, Alexis and I miss you and Donna Hess my vote is for you and all the Teachers because there is no way I could do it!! more ›
Incumbent appointee seeks to retain seat
Name : Roger Sidoti Job titles held : Principal, Theodore Roosevelt High School Employers : Retired; Kent City Schools Party affiliation : Democrat Running for a: Local Office Running for position: At-large Kent City Council representative Chamber/district: Citywide Incumbent: Yes Previous elective offices : Appointed Kent Charter Review Commission 1981, 1 year; Appointed Kent Board of Zoning Appeals, 4 years; Appointed Kent Planning Commission, 1 year; Appointed Kent Assessment Equalization Board, 1 year Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: N/A Degree(s): BA Education, University of Akron 1971; MA Educational Administration, Kent State University 1978; EdS Education Leadership, Kent State University 1992 We have called Kent our home…
Long looks to run again after defeat in Ward 1 contest
Name : Melissa Long Job titles held : Semi-retired; a state board member for the Ohio Alliance of Retired Americans. She runs a chapter in Trumbull, Alliance and Mahoning counties. Employers : N/A Party affiliation : Democrat Running for a: Local office Running for position: At-large Kent City Council Chamber/district: Citywide Incumbent: No Previous elective offices : Mayor of Cortland, Ohio; member of Cortland City Council 12 years Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: Ward 1 Kent City Council Degree: High school and one year of college at Kent State University. With any kind of development, whether it’s with city government, state government or private business, when you are undertaking huge development, you must also maintain and …
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Potential Ohio gubernatorial candidate FitzGerald told a group of college students he was the first Cuyahoga County official to endorse Obama.
As Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald travels the state rallying support for his possible run for Ohio governor, he's been attracting the attention of the folks at Politifact Ohio. Recently, they checked out a claim published late last month by the Cincinnati Enquirer in which FitzGerald, the former mayor of Lakewood, said he was the first Cuyahoga County official to endorse Barack Obama for president. Politifact Ohio called that claim mostly false. They weren't able to prove that he wasn't the first — but neither was FitzGerald. Does this mean anything to you in deciding whether you think FitzGerald has a shot at the governor's seat? Tell us what you think.
2:52 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
How about if some Important Media Representative asks Mr. Fitzgerald "What date did you "endorse" Senator Obama's candidacy for President?", then posts Mr. Fitzgerald's answer (on Patch, of course) and see if any other person claiming to be a Cuyahoga County Official claims an endorsement at an earlier date? That might add some clarity to the discussion. more ›
Pew Center ranks Ohio low on absentee and provisional ballot management
A new national report by the PEW Charitable Trusts ranking state-by-state elections performance puts Ohio close to the bottom of the 50 states. The PEW Elections Performance Index measures the quality of election administrations by analyzing 17 indicators, ranging from voter turnout to number of rejected absentee ballots, from the 2008 and 2010 elections. Ohio ranked above only 11 other states in overall performance for those two election cycles, according to the report, which was released Feb. 5. Erik Heidemann, an assistant professor of political science at Kent State University, said he wasn't surprised to see Ohio rank so low on the PEW report. "We just have this political culture here in Ohio that politics is a marketplace and that …
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District asking voters to approve 8.9-mill operating levy
Kent voters will be asked in May to vote on a 8.9-mill operating levy for the Kent City Schools. The Kent City Schools Board of Education voted this week to put the levy on the May 2013 ballot. The levy would pay for general operations of the school district and would raise $4.25 million per year. It would cost the owner of a house valued at $100,000 for tax purposes $272.56 per year. "That breaks down to $0.75 per day," Kent City Schools Treasurer Debbie Krutz said. School administrators told the education board during Tuesday's meeting that the district has saved $4.2 million annually the past few years thanks to belt-tightening efforts. The district's voters last approved an operating levy in 2006. "Because of our cost-savings …
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11:38 am on Saturday, April 20, 2013
The City of Kent has had a business building boom which should have been a boom for Kent City Schools, but no, Kent gave a number of those business a large and lengthy tax abetment which should not have been so generous. That caused us property owners to have to make up the tax money needed for the schools. I say WHY should property owners have to bear the full brunt of supporting the schools. … more ›
Take a look at the tallies for each precinct in Kent — did your section of town vote for or against the tax increase
Of Kent's 21 voting precincts just three voted in favor of passing Issue 11, a 0.25 percent income tax increase that would have paid to build a new police station. The issue failed by less than 10 percent of the total votes cast, according to complete but unofficial results from the Portage County Board of Elections. The three Kent precincts that voted in favor of the issue were 1-B, 6-B and 6-D. For an idea of location, here's where those three precincts cast their ballots: To see the rest of the polling locations click here. Below is the break down of votes by precinct.
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10:45 am on Sunday, November 11, 2012
When it becomes more expensive to maintain than to replace, replace. I don't know that this is the case w/PD, but a blanket refusal to upgrade for any reason is foolish. more ›
Take a look at the tallies for each precinct in Kent — did your section of town vote Republican or Democrat?
It's likely no surprise to many Kent residents that the Tree City voted overwhelmingly to re-elect President Barack Obama in Tuesday's election. The incumbent Democrat received a heavy majority of total votes cast by Kent voters for the two major-party candidates, both himself and Republican Mitt Romney, according to complete but unofficial results from the Portage County Board of Elections. A total 10,003 votes were cast by Kent voters for the Republican and Democratic candidates. Of those, Obama received 7,345, or about 73 percent. While Romney received 2,685, or about 27 percent, according to the board of elections. Every single voting precinct in Kent — all 21 — voted in favor of Obama. The vote aligns with campaign contributions to …
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4:54 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012
"Its been going down at a steady rate for 4 years now. " dow average Jan 1, 2009 approx 9,000 Jan 1, 2010 approx 10,600 Jan 1, 2011 approx 11,500 Jan 1, 2012 approx 12,400 Nov 9, 2012 close 12,815 more ›
Most Kent voters Patch talked to gave high marks to the Portage County Board of Elections for a smooth Election Day
For most Kent voters it appears Election Day passed smoothly with little or no hiccups and modest waits at the polls. Patch asked voters as they left the polls to grade their experience in casting their ballot. Byron Jarrett, who cast his vote at the First Christian Church Tuesday evening, gave his experience between an A and A-minus. "It was pretty seamless. It was easy to understand," he said. Jarrett said he was in and out of his polling location in less than 15 minutes. "I wasn’t expecting too much of a wait," he said. "I feel as if a lot of people voted early that really wanted to get their vote in." Voters who cast their ballot at Theodore Roosevelt High School gave their poll workers similar high marks. "Oh, I’d give it an A," said …
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9:38 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
What a silly comment. At least they were exercising their right. And there is nothing that says you must be speedy and quick while voting. Apparently, they were not in your hurry. more ›
FillerUp
10:14 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Well get ready Sa;;y - looks like your funding is going to decrease a little more and those of us who read Patch can watch you complain a little more! Yippeeeee!!!!!!!! more ›