Northwood Mayor Mark Stoner, who is completing three terms as mayor, is running for re-election this fall. Stoner, 55, of Ross Street, was appointed to council in 1993, then was re-elected to another term before he ran for mayor.

Stoner said he’s running again because he believes he’s made “a positive difference” in the city while overseeing deep budget cuts as a result of the economic recession.

“We’re heading in the right direction. We’ve had a bad couple of years in the city. But I think citizens appreciate the steps we took to redo the budget,” he said.

Mayor Mark Stoner

The city’s financial condition has improved this year, with revenues increasing steadily, he said.

“Last year was not a banner year. Last month, revenues were up 19.9 percent from last year. We’re doing better as a city. For the year, we’re up $440,000. That’s pretty nice. The city’s coming back. That’s always good,” he said.

Stoner has noted among his accomplishments the development of a man made pond, later called Ranger Park, on 6 acres of city owned property at I-280 and Curtice Road, near the Menards home improvement store, in 2007. The pond was created by contractors moving soil for construction of the Curtice Road overpass about 14 years ago. It was enclosed by a fence and inaccessible to the public. Stoner pushed hard to develop the property into a public park and stocked the pond with bluegill, bass and perch for fishing. The city later planted trees at the site and added park benches, picnic tables, and a walking path around the 55-foot deep pond.

“Four years ago, someone wanted to fill it in. I am glad that it’s there. I hear a lot of positive comments about that park,” he said.

Another accomplishment, he said, is that he’s never sought an increase in the municipal income tax while he has been mayor.

“The biggest thing I take pride in is that I’ve not had to increase taxes or income taxes, no garbage fees, no change in reciprocity,” he said.

Although council approved putting an income tax increase on the ballot last year, voters soundly defeated it.

“The public said no, and that’s how it should be. Let the public decide,” said Stoner.

He’s also gone to bat for the proposed railroad overpass project on Wales Road, which has had many setbacks over the years. The $14 million project, which calls for the construction of two railroad overpasses on Wales Road that would effectively eliminate three railroad crossings on Drouillard and Wales roads, is expected to finally start next year.

“I will approve the contract or bid for the railroad overpass. That will be huge,” he said.

The city has been earmarking $100,000 annually for its local share of funding of the project.

“We have $900,000 in the fund. Next year, we’ll have $1 million,” he said.

“If we don’t do it now, we will never, ever have another opportunity like this again,” he said.

The project was nearly derailed in 2006 when Congress transferred $4 million in funds that had been originally earmarked for the project to two other communities in Ohio. The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) later announced it would fill the shortfall caused by the transferred funds. Survey, drainage, and environmental studies have been completed at the site.

Also on the November ballot will be Councilmen Ed Schimmel, Jim Barton and Dean Edwards, who are running unopposed for re-election.

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