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Joe B Price – Candidate for Mayor of Broadview Heights 2007
November 10, 2006
Encouragement, motivation or is it desire, what becomes the deciding factor in running for public office? Why the office of Mayor of Broadview Heights?
The answers will vary from candidate to candidate. For Joe Price the encouragement began in the fall of 2002 when a group of business owners, business professionals and neighbors asked Joe to consider running for the office Mayor. We as a city were seeking a new direction and a new vision for the City of Broadview Heights.
The city government had become complacent and seemed be operating at a crawl. The politics of city hall mirrored the politics of the 1970’s. Neighboring cities were growing and prospering, expanding their commerce, creating employment, expanding recreation and improving city services. All while Broadview Heights being “stuck in the middle” remained dormant, no plan, no vision. Our population was growing at a greater pace than neighboring cities while our schools and services were being over loaded, again no plan, no vision. While the residents harbored no animosity aimed at the existing administration we were seeking a change, a plan and vision for the city.
Seeing Joe Price as a good neighbor, loving husband and father of 5, successful and responsible business owner and involved with multiple ministries in his local church, Joe has the professional knowledge, self motivation, leadership and compassion for service that made him our candidate for Mayor. As Mayor Joe’s professional image along with his great communication skills would represent Broadview Heights, it’s residents, employees and businesses. He is seen as an ambassador that would attract the commerce and economic growth that has eluded the city in the past. As a visionary he sees a community that needs a “planned development.” A planned development for recreation combined with leisure as well as entertainment and the Arts. Planned development filled with multiple opportunities for economic growth with a planned and compatible transition between dedicated business and residential properties. A “Professional’s Professional” with unique ability to achieve the unachievable, accepting challenge by doing what many say cannot be done, Joe Price is a leader with a positive can do attitude that manages to find a way to succeed where others have failed.
While Joe was honored by the public’s encouragement, there was a lot to consider. Joe and Denise had 2 daughters attending The Ohio State University, a son about to enter college and 2 children at home. Joe’s businesses in Parma were thriving and he was very involved as a member of the Board of Directors for Teams to the Nations here in Broadview Heights. After considerable research, one on one consultation with family, his Pastor, Business and Political leaders Joe decided in 2003 that he could not devote the time and talent required to run a campaign and take on the additional responsibilities of Broadview Heights. Joe’s hope and ours was that someone would take the charge, take the lead, and provide the direction and vision we so desired.
In the fall of 2003 “hope” came to Broadview Heights in the form of the current administration. Change was promised but very little occurred. The only progress we have witnessed comes from the legacy of the past administration. Commerce struggles while space in multiple strip centers sit empty. There is little community development and no economic growth. The city’s identity is tarnished and while it has addressed a “Master Plan”, the plan has the potential of a negative effect on everyone who lives here, works here and or owns a business here. City hall lacks direction. City Council and department directors seek guidance where there is none. City council has lost it’s faith and trust of the Mayor and though council has qualified caring and talented members the body sits divided while both council leaders are putting political ambition before service to their community.
We are a great city with potential and promise. We have residents still clinging to hope. We have hard working highly qualified employees. We have dedicated Business’s and Business owners as well as Business Professionals in Medical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Legal and Teaching professions to mention a few. We are a community of faith with a history of the faithful that is home to Churches and Worship Centers of multiple religions. We have a school system that is second to none in our county. We have location that should be an attraction to all of the above as well as multiple Commerce opportunities and yet we sit “stuck in the middle” seeking leadership. Seeking Leadership with Integrity and Knowledge, Trust and Honesty. Leadership that is self-motivated and dedicated to Civic Service without being self-serving. Leadership with vision and devotion that will develop a plan, provide direction and ultimately completion.
The Supporters of Joe Price for Mayor 2007 |
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