The path which led me to where I have wound up involved a considerable amount of work, associating with really good people, networking on many levels, as well as no small amount of luck. Having been involved with several local organizations and governmental entities led to me being asked to serve on two Richfield Citizen of the Year committees. I was fortunate to serve for six years on the Richfield Village Board of Zoning Appeals (three as chairman), have been appointed to two separate Revere scholarship committees for many years (and been a supporter and fund raiser for both), and have served as a local Boy Scout co-leader and supporter.
Through community involvement and contacts made by having a business in Richfield I became a charter (founding) member of the Richfield Chamber of Commerce as well as a past president. I have been elected five times to Richfield Village Council- currently in my twentieth year (three of those as vice president and five as president). Through my business, Village Auto Body, been an annual supporter of the local police D.A.R.E. Program, been a member in excellent standing with the Better Business Bureau since buying the business in 1982, supported both the Bath Richfield Kiwanis and the Brecksville Broadview Heights Kiwanis fund raising events, sponsored local youth football and baseball teams for decades, and been a donor to the annual Richfield Police and Fire Department fund raising events. My wife and I are also members of the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve.
My business involves advertising in Richfield as well as the surrounding communities. I typically run full page color ads which feature historical and other interesting topics, including items of interest in the area. There is so much rich history in Richfield, which was founded in 1809. Situated almost exactly halfway between Akron and Cleveland, there was considerable support for “conductors” of the Underground Railroad. John Brown, the famed abolitionist lived for four years in Richfield and four of his children are buried in the cemetery across the street from my house. Through a rather convoluted series of events, I became interested in the period of time Brown lived in and around Northeast Ohio and his activities. I ended up writing a book about the early history of the arsenal at Harpers Ferry primarily due to the interest created by what I learned about John Brown.
Sales of the book about Harpers Ferry led to my making acquaintances with many interesting people across the United States and Canada. I have an early Cadillac which has been featured nationally and is displayed in my office and is also used in our advertising. Fortunately, the involvement in my community as well as the years of advertising has made me familiar to many. While trying not to abuse this trust, is has resulted in a level of credibility (rightly or not) when considering sometimes involved and challenging topics which come before Council.