The News-Herald Election Questionnaire Office sought: Munson Township Trustee

completed: September 24, 2013

Name: Todd R. Ray Age: 53 Date of Birth: 01/06/1960 , Address: 13396 Bass Lake Rd., Munson Length of residence: 43 years Twitter: n.a. Facebook: n.a.

Painesville, OH

Campaign website: n.a.

Occupation: School principal Employer: Positive Education Program 3100 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH Elected office experience: 4 terms, 16 years, Munson Twp. Trustee Non-elected office experience: Chagrin River Land Conservancy Bd. of Trustees Western Reserve Land Conservancy Bd. of Trustees The Cleveland Foundation Lake-Geauga Fund Bd. Geauga Park District Foundation WVIZ/WCPN ideastream Community Advisory Bd. Education: B.S., Environmental Geography, Ohio University M.Ed. Severe Behavior Disorders, Kent State University School Administration certification, Ursuline College

Marital status: Married Spouse: Mary L. Ray Children: Genevieve, age 28, Colin, age 26, Madeleine, age 22, Isaac, age 12 Organizations

If elected, what three specific areas would I address: 1) Cost of services. As state funding to local governments continues to decline, township government will still be expected to provide the same level of service for road maintenance, emergency response, and parks and facilities. I will continue to support a balanced approach to using private service vendors and township forces to seek maximum cost effectiveness. Long-term energy efficiency and the minimization of maintenance costs were key goals of the town hall renovation and expansion project. Purchasing of supplies and equipment through the state-bid purchase program has been increasing as we identify cost advantages through that program. Our roads are in fine shape because the road department uses best practices in maintaining them. I have, and will continue to lead the process shifting some of the cost of employee health care

coverage to township employees, to bring this employee benefit into closer alignment with the reality of private sector employment. 2) Community identity and engagement. Munson residents enjoy a strong and positive sense of community. I will continue to support the variety of township sponsored events and activities, and encourage the active use of our parks and town hall, in ways that enrich our quality of life and sense of place, with an emphasis on making these events as cost-neutral as possible. 3) Emergency services. Munson has been blessed with strong and stable leadership of our Fire and EMS company, and a healthy collaboration with the Board of Trustees, even through times of transition. That relationship cant be taken for granted. I will continue to support the open communication and cooperative decision making that exists and must be sustained through the times of fiscal limitations. I believe voters should re-elect me because they can have confidence in how I handle myself and go about the business of making decisions. I try to be direct and transparent in taking positions on issues, and speak clearly to support my position. Agree or disagree, residents will know where I stand. I also believe that residents can see by my track record that I have served on the board in a manner that demonstrates responsible decision-making. Township government is not complicated, and our township is running smooth and orderly, and disagreements are resolved with little, if any, controversy. I would like to keep it that way.