Kirtland voters will choose between Doug Davidson, Kevin Potter or Kathryn Talty to serve a four-year term as mayor in the Nov. 7 general election.
The term begins on Dec. 1. Potter has held the office since he was elected in 2019 while Davidson was mayor from 2015-19.
The winning candidate will receive a salary of $20,350 per year, according to city Finance Director Louis Slapnicker.
The city charter adds that the mayor may also serve as service director, safety director or both. Potter is currently listed as safety director on the city website, with Slapnicker stating that the role pays an additional $5,603 annually.
There were 5,335 registered voters in Kirtland as of Oct. 20, according to the Lake County Elections Board.
Here are some of the responses provided by the candidates to a questionnaire sent by The News-Herald:
Doug Davidson
If elected, one of Davidson’s priorities will be to “work with council on means to increase revenues” for safety forces, service forces and road repairs.
“We should be modeling successful cities in Ohio and bringing their best, most effective practices back to Kirtland,” he said.
Davidson would also “go back to existing developers in the town center district and see if they will restart or re-engage in previously discussed projects on private property.”
A third area of focus would be “to set the conditions for development on the Route 6 and 306 intersection.” He said that development would need to include an impact study and infrastructure grant funding.
“If we don’t set the conditions on the intersection, we could be looking at grass, barns and bricks for a long time on the corner,” Davidson said.
He referred to the city’s finances when stating why voters should elect him.
“The State Auditor publishes fiscal health indicators and Kirtland’s report card is trending the wrong way for 2021 and 2022,” Davidson said, adding, “The status quo will not work and it’s clearly time to make a change.”
Kevin Potter
If re-elected, Potter said that he would pursue efficiency, adding that officials would “continue to work to stretch every single taxpayer dollar.”
He would also work to fund the city’s road program and “establish plans for economic development opportunities” fitting Kirtland’s “small-town appeal.”
Potter also highlighted his work with community members and City Council over the past four years “to make Kirtland safer and stronger.” In that time, he said that the city hired three full-time police officers and two full-time firefighters, “paved nearly eight miles of roads” and “reduced our debt by $500,000.”
He also referenced “efforts to consolidate dispatch while reinvesting in our police department, as well as streamlining our service department.”
When stating why voters should elect him, Potter highlighted his experience interacting with local residents.
“I’ve heard the concerns of our residents and engaged our community in moving Kirtland forward,” he said.
“We made tough decisions that have led to more efficient and effective city government, freeing up dollars to make Kirtland safer and stronger,” Potter added. “I promise to continue that leadership as we work together to move Kirtland forward.”
Kathryn Talty
If elected, Talty said that her priorities would include preserving Kirtland’s green space, gardens and war memorial and “repurposing the city hall.”
“I would like to have the opportunity to lead the way to maintain our present culture for the residents and the busloads of visitors from around the country that wish to experience our history and heritage,” she said.
Another priority would be to support the development of broadband or optical fiber internet connections to “become a future-friendly city,” Talty said.
Being “one of the most intelligent cities in the world will attract global businesses for true fiscal growth,” she added.
Talty also discussed the possibility of future development projects.
“Some brick and mortar development for retail and residential can be exciting, but too much dependency for fiscal growth can be deleterious and taxing on to our school and community services,” she said.
When stating why she should be elected, Talty mentioned the need to plan for Kirtland’s future.
“Developing Kirtland smartly, wisely and preserving this city of faith and beauty is what I will accomplish as your next mayor,” she said.
