This article is part of the 2025 General Election Voters' Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
Cyle Feldman
Nonpartisan
Campaign phone: 330-351-7789
Website: Moving Stow Forward
Training/experience: Currently, the Athletic Director for the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District.
Education: Masters Degree in Sports Administration (1991) and Undergraduate Degree in Health/Biology Education (1989) from Ohio University.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MovingStowForward/
Campaign email address: cfeldman25@gmail.com
Previous public office: Stow City Council At-Large for 6 years, serving the last 2 years as President of City Council.
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
I have served as the President of Stow City Council for the last 2 years and have served on the important standing committees of Finance and Planning. Serving multiple terms on council, I understand how the mechanics of city council, the committees and how we must work with the city administration to continue to Move Stow Forward. This trust in my leadership and my experience have given me knowledge that will continue to benefit the our community. I listen to residents, and this insight, built on the foundation of teamwork, has allowed me to serve the Stow Community. I am a results-oriented leader on key local issues such as economic development, infrastructure improvements and better sidewalks. These are issues that affect residents’ quality of life, and I am committed to continue to make these improvements. Finally, I support public-private partnerships, like the amphitheatre, which shows a positive vision, with attention to cost and community benefit. I care deeply about Stow!
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
I will continue to work with the city administration and other Stow City Council members to accomplish the following:
- Safe Neighborhoods with Strong Infrastructure – I will continue to improve roads, sidewalks and connectivity to connects neighborhoods parks and schools. Ensure police and fire have the resources they need to keep residents safe.
- Support Amphitheatre with Responsible Economic Growth – I will help attract new restaurants to strengthen Stow’s economy to expand the tax base. Support redevelopment of underutilized or vacant shopping centers turning them into community assets.
- Continue to Invest in Parks & Recreation, Community Facilities and Green Space – I will continue to make this a priority by making sure we invest dollars in these areas to improve quality of life for our families.
- Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency – I will carefully monitor capital and operating budgets to deliver the most value for residents while promoting open communication.
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
My strategies are about alignment, communication and collaboration along with data-driven planning. We consistently complete studies with data on all issues, and I would like to utilize that data as we complete projects and set goals for the City of Stow in our capital and operating budgets. My experience and track record as Council President and Athletic Director has proven that I am qualified to serve in this role, and will do my best to set an example with these strategies.
I will continue to build consensus with all council members by continually communicating the strategy of alignment, meaning we have the shared value of wanting and shaping an excellent Stow for residents to live, work and play. However, we will communicate respectfully, as we may not always agree, specifically in this political climate, but will work together (teamwork). This is an important strategy, and will continue to find common ground and keep discussions professional and resident-focused, not political.
Kim Young
Nonpartisan
Campaign phone: 330-552-8462
Website: kimyoungforstow.com
Training/experience: 38 years in total: 24 years at Fortune 500 companies (Roadway Express and UPS Freight), and 14 years at two family-owned small businesses (Matrex Exhibits & F&E PaymentPros)
Education: University of Akron, Bachelor of Science in Business with concentration in Marketing and Management; KSU graduate classes in Teaching English as a Second Language
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kimyoungforstow
Campaign email address: kimyoungforstow@gmail.com
Previous public office: N/A
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
As a retired businesswoman, I bring significant professional and life experiences that haven’t been represented on council. Politics, even at the local level, has gotten divisive when it doesn’t need to be. My abilities to listen empathetically to customers, collaborate with internal departments and executives, and negotiate with external vendors to deliver solutions and results would enable me to help foster relationships within the city.
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
First, being recently retired, I’m acutely aware of the concerns of our growing senior population. I want Stow to be a place where seniors feel safe, and that provides amenities to improve their quality of life. That includes continuing funding for our parks, senior center programming, and sidewalk repairs.
Second, residents go to neighboring communities for their entertainment needs. Discretionary dollars are leaving the city. I support economic development initiatives that allow diversified small businesses, niche shopping and restaurants to locate to Stow.
Third, we need to balance economic development with green space preservation to provide the best quality of life for Stow residents.
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
I will take input from our residents while working with the administration and other members of council in a collaborative way in order to prioritize programs and services. I will engage with all the stakeholders in the city including businesses, organizations, and the school district to align opportunities and needs.
Kyle Herman
Nonpartisan
Campaign phone: 330-310-8561
Training/experience: Taught high school history and civics. Wrote correspondence for President Obama. Served as assistant to the Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. Managed democracy programs in Lebanon and Iraq. Led a nonpartisan nonprofit to bridge political divides (Rank the Vote Ohio).
Education: Stow-Munroe Falls High School (2007), Ohio Wesleyan University (2011), Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2015)
Facebook: facebook.com/HermanForStow
Instagram: instagram.com/kylehermanohio
Campaign email address: HermanForStow@gmail.com
Previous experience: Stow City Council At-Large
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
I grew up in Stow, I’m a product of our community, and I want to help make sure Stow is a strong and welcoming City that works for everyone. Stow set me up for success in my education at Ohio Wesleyan and Harvard, and in my career, I gained valuable experiences in government, democracy-building, and cross-partisan cooperation. I taught high school history and civics; wrote correspondence for President Obama; served as assistant to the Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia; and managed democracy programs in Lebanon and Iraq. I settled back home in Stow to lead a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, Rank the Vote Ohio, that works to bridge political divides and incentivize cooperation for the common good. As I became more involved in our community, Mayor John Pribonic encouraged me to run for Council. We have accomplished a lot together during my first term, and I want to keep using my public policy skills to help Stow thrive. Voters can learn more about my campaign at HermanForStow.com.
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
A top priority during my first term has been responsible development to “build our community” both literally and figuratively. We delivered a new Community & Senior Center, approved an Entertainment District with new restaurants and an amphitheater, and invested in infrastructure like sidewalks to make our city more connected and walkable. As Chair of Council’s Planning Committee, I’m helping to oversee a total rewrite of Stow’s Zoning Code to bring it into the 21st Century and make it more aligned with Stow’s Comprehensive Plan, including by allowing the development of a more walkable city center with boutique shops and restaurants. I’ve prioritized guarding our environment, including by protecting nearly 40 acres of wetlands and woods for future parklands. I’ve prioritized our health and safety by expanding Stow’s Fire/EMS and Police forces, including with new School Resource Officers, as well as by supporting counseling and inclusion. And we’re doing it all and more within budget.
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
My Leadership Impact Statement which I developed with help from my Leadership Coach is: “I am committed to being an authentic and results-driven leader who collaborates with others to improve our quality of life.” I have tried to be communicative and accessible to my Constituents, fellow Councilmembers, City Staff, and other stakeholders so we can collaborate for the common good. I hope to keep using my public policy skills to contribute to further progress, but the primary limiting factor is time. Since Council is only a part-time job with a stipend of about $16,000 a year, most Councilmembers are dependent on separate full-time jobs for healthcare and income. I am only one of seven Councilmembers, and some of my colleagues have not had enough time to educate themselves about issues. I also spend a lot of time trying to provide civic education to Constituents who do not necessarily understand the responsibilities of Council in relation to other branches and levels of government.
Jeremy McIntire
Nonpartisan
(Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.)
Josh Wall
Nonpartisan
(Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.)