Since Ward 6 Council Member Harold Hatridge did not file for re-election, city voters will decide if David Ludick or John Seitz will fill that post.
Seitz, a 20-year Four Seasons resident, said he aims to keep Aurora moving forward and to create opportunities to keep the city “safe, beautiful and financially sound.”
Acknowledging that his political experience consists of serving on Four Seasons HOA committees, Seitz said Hatridge’s retirement presents him with the opportunity to serve all of Ward 6 and Aurora as a whole.
“I’ve always had an interest in serving at a higher level, and I’ve been talking with Harold for years about it, but I wanted to wait until he was ready. I was not going to run against him. I have too much respect for what he’s done for Ward 6,” Seitz said.
Seitz said his vision for Aurora is to continue ongoing efforts to connect Aurora’s neighborhoods with sidewalks, bike paths and trails.
“I want to make sure the city’s safety and service organizations have the right tools and equipment to do their jobs. I want to plan ahead for deteriorating infrastructure and increase funding for roads, pipes and sewers. I also want to continue leveraging the city’s positive financial position to purchase green space where it makes sense to limit growth to the extent we can,” he said.
Seitz said he would also like to create “park improvements with a family-oriented focus.” Splash pads, playground and outdoor fitness facilities number among the installations he envisions, and Seitz said he would seriously consider residents’ suggestions for other outdoor recreation opportunities.
To save taxpayer dollars, Seitz said he would apply for as much grant money as possible to fund every project.
A lifelong Aurora resident, Ludick credits Aurora’s schools with providing him with a solid foundation and pledged to support the school system in any way possible.
He currently works for a pet insurance company, runs seminars to teach doctors and emergency room physicians how to improve their bedside manners and communications and is a presenter and communications director for a state-required parenting class for divorcing couples.
Though he has no direct political experience, Ludick said he has worked with Aurora officials from many departments to put on various holiday-themed city events. He also pointed to experience shadowing a former state representative so he could learn how government works and how to write effective legislation. He said his shadowing experience also provided him with knowledge about school bus safety, human trafficking and animal welfare.
Aurora has undergone what Ludick called “dynamic changes” over the past few years, leading some residents to become concerned the city is becoming overdeveloped and overcrowded, he said.
To ensure that does not happen, Ludick said he wants to supplement Aurora’s acquisition of green space with what he calls “sensible zoning.” Doing so, he said, would lessen the taxpayer burden inherent in buying land. He also envisions implementing “sustainable recreational initiatives” to ensure that recreation facilities the city might build do not drain city funds.
Regarding the proposed multi-million dollar park purchase on the shores of Geauga Lake, Ludick focused on SeaWorld’s old aquarium. The city intends to rent it out to a restaurateur. Ludick said potential renters would be more attracted if the building would include specific amenities like a commercial-grade hot water tank and a large enough kitchen in a suitable area. The return on investment, Ludick said, would be worth it.
Ludick also has his eye on potential state and federal funding sources to reduce the taxpayer burden as Aurora continues to address its aging infrastructure.
He said he is running for council because he cannot imagine living anywhere but Aurora. He recalls approaching city council to hear his ideas for a city event when he was just 16 years old. The respect council showed him then spurred his desire to one day become part of Aurora’s government and to be the kind of leader who could connect with its citizens.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.