Six running for three at-large seats on Tallmadge City Council

Christine Cipa

Republican

Education: Master’s work in Elementary Education, BS Secondary Education, Associate Degrees in Marketing and Management

Training/experience: VP Esterle Construction, Patient Care Coord. Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, Clinic Director One of A Kind Spay/Neuter Clinic

Campaign email address: christinecipa@icloud.com

Previous public office: 13 Yrs, Tallmadge Board of Education:  Last 2 yrs. as President of the Board

X: Christine Cipa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064521497125

Campaign phone: 330-607-7476

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

I take my commitment to our community seriously. I know that sound fiscal management and a strong local economy are essential for our city to thrive.  As a long-time resident and small business owner with 13 yrs. experience on the Board of Education, I bring a practical, no-nonsense perspective to every decision.

What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?

 I believe in accountability and investigate every item before it comes up for a vote, ensuring a complete understanding of the issues.  I actively seek out and listen to my constituents, so I can be a true voice on Council.  Thoughtful, transparent leadership is my top priority and what our Tallmadge community deserves.

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

I will implement a strategic, multi-layered process to ensure complete understanding of every issue and ordinance brought before the council in a three pronged approach:

• Mastering the Details: Thoroughly reviewing every agenda packet, staff report, and the full text of proposed ordinances to understand the legal and financial impacts.
• Seeking Expertise: Consulting with city staff, external experts, and diverse community voices to gain a comprehensive, real-world perspective.
• Accountability: Ensuring every vote is a well-researched, smart decision that genuinely serves the long-term health and well-being of the entire community.
• By synthesizing thorough document review, expert consultation, and ground-level community feedback, I promise to cast every vote as an accountable, well-researched, and fully informed decision, providing the diligent leadership our city deserves.

Jessica Epstein

Democratic

Education: Bachelor of Science – Kent State University

Training/experience: My professional career is in IT, where I’ve developed strong problem-solving and analytical skills that I bring to my role on Tallmadge City Council. I have always been passionate about giving back to my community, dedicating my time to organizations like the Girl Scouts and the Tallmadge PTA. I have served on Tallmadge City Council since January 2024 and was recently appointed by my fellow council members to the city’s Veterans Committee.

Campaign email address: epsteinfortallmadgecouncil@gmail.com

Previous public office: Current Tallmadge City Council, At-Large

Website: www.jessica-epstein.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EpsteinForTallmadgeCouncil

Instagram: www.instagram.com/councilwoman_jessica_epstein

Campaign phone: 330-474-9512

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

Much like the bumble bee that represents my campaign, I’m a hard worker, a connector, & strong in my dedication. The bee also holds personal meaning for me as it’s an ode to my grandmother, who passed earlier this year. Bees are pollinators, & I see our role on council in a similar way: connecting residents & their passions with the city.

I’m proactive in reaching out to & engaging with all members of our community & work diligently to provide clear, helpful information. That spirit of collaboration is why I asked Lindsay Cammel Halm to join me on city council, because I believe our community benefits from having a council made up of strong, hardworking mothers who are also deeply invested in raising our families here.

Having served for 2 years, I have gained a clear understanding of how things operate, while still being new enough to ask questions & bring fresh ideas. My commitment to open communication and thoughtful problem-solving makes me the best candidate to continue serving.

What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?

My top priorities include continuing to engage with all members of our community and ensuring I am accessible to everyone. Tallmadge has a unique heritage, with multiple generations who continue to choose to live, work, and raise their families here. Older generations cherish the destinations and traditions they remember, while younger generations seek to create new memories for their families. I am committed to leveraging the tools in our toolbox for smart, sustainable economic growth that honors our past while embracing the future—meeting the needs of all Tallmadge residents.

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

To accomplish my priorities, I focus on open communication, transparency, and meaningful community engagement. I am proud to have introduced the first monthly newsletter from a council representative, which is emailed to residents monthly and shared on my social media channels to keep everyone informed about our work as the city’s legislative body. I also host regular town hall meetings and informal “Coffee with Your Councilwomen” events alongside fellow council members, providing residents with opportunities to share their concerns and ideas.

As a member of the cities Veterans Committee, I organize community initiatives like “Hearts for Heroes,” where we create valentines for local veterans.

Finally, as a leader on the city’s Strategic Planning Committee, I helped develop a comprehensive vision that will guide Tallmadge’s growth and development over the next decade. These strategies ensure I remain accessible, informed, and focused on delivering results for our community.

Jena R. Stasik

Republican

Education: Master of Public Administration (MPA) – Ohio University; Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Kent State University

Training/experience: Jena has served 12 years in the public sector throughout Summit County and is a trained Public Information Officer (PIO) with experience in crisis communication, government budgeting, collective bargaining agreements, social media strategy, and community outreach initiatives. She serves on several non-profit boards and volunteers throughout the Tallmadge community.

Campaign email address: electjenarstasik@gmail.com

Website: jenastasik.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576231733777

Campaign phone: 330-604-5815

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

Over a decade ago, my love for public service began working for the City of Tallmadge, where I learned local government operations and project management firsthand. Since then, I’ve built a career across Summit County municipalities rewriting policies, preparing budgets, assisting in union contracts, securing grants and creating communication tools to better reach residents, including launching Tallmadge’s first social media pages and e-newsletter. Today, I serve as Community Relations Manager in the City of Hudson, overseeing special events, grants, major projects, and public engagement outreach. My Master of Public Administration (MPA) reflects a commitment to ethical, effective government, while my volunteer work and nonprofit board service demonstrate a deep investment in community. The blend of experience, education, and service uniquely equips me to represent all of Tallmadge as an At-Large Councilmember.

What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?

• Safe, Accessible Community -I will prioritize strong support for police and fire while supporting expansion of sidewalks and bike lanes to ensure safety, connectivity, and accessibility.
• Smart Growth Preserving Tallmadge’s Character – I will use my zoning and policy experience to guide development that attracts businesses and residents while protecting neighborhoods, green spaces, and Tallmadge’s historic character. Growth must balance property rights while preserving community identity.
• Financial Responsibility & Resourcefulness – With experience in budgeting and securing grants, I will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and seek outside funding to support infrastructure, parks, and services promoting growth without added burden on residents.
• Transparent, Connected Government – Having launched Tallmadge’s first social media pages and e-newsletter, I know the value of communication. I will expand outreach so residents can easily access information and share input.

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

• Safe, Accessible Community – Participate in ride-alongs with police and fire to hear their input firsthand on challenges and advocate for a citywide connectivity plan to improve sidewalks and bike lanes, prioritizing schools and high-traffic areas.
• Smart Growth that Preserves Character – Update zoning to attract businesses while protecting neighborhoods, encourage redevelopment of underutilized sites, and involve residents early in development discussions.
• Financial Responsibility & Resourcefulness – Use grant-writing experience to support exploration of funding resources, encourage discussion on multi-year capital budgets and annually review community programs to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
• Transparent, Connected Government – Expand digital tools and encourage a unified message from the city and elected officials, host town halls and public engagement, so residents can access information and have a voice in decision-making, especially in development.

Lindsay Cammel Halm

Democratic

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Ohio University, Political Science; Political Administration

Training/experience:  Administrative Business Partner, Google (2018-2025); Technical Services, U.S. Meat Export Federation (2012-2018); Regulatory Affairs, Omega Laboratories (2008-2012)

Campaign email address: lindsaycammel@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577380207321

Campaign phone: 330-949-9342

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

*My responses are written by me, without the assistance of Artificial Intelligence.

I grew up in Tallmadge, I am a Christian, I love this community and I am loyal to it.  I will be an unwavering advocate for the health and safety of all Tallmadge residents and families.  Having worked at companies like Google, The U.S. Meat Export Federation, and Omega Laboratories, I have deep experience working on many of the problems that impact our community.  I am an organizer, a creative thinker, and known as someone that brings people together and solves problems. Throughout my career, I have successfully collaborated across generations and varying political backgrounds to accomplish audacious goals, and I will do the same for Tallmadge, serving on City Council.  I am the best person for this job, because I believe values transcend political loyalty, and we need to be a Tallmadge that works together to get worthwhile initiatives completed!

What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?

I will work with Council and the Mayor to advocate for sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure, connecting all Tallmadge neighborhoods to city resources.  I support paths and sidewalks on Tallmadge’s main roads and I will find creative ways to take action on this for the people of Tallmadge.

I will advocate for the development and improvement of affordable recreation spaces for youth and adults. I want to work with the city to offer more family-friendly hours for key services.

I support forest and farmland conservation in Tallmadge, and ecologically-friendly yard and land management policies.  On council, I will represent our generation and future generations, in the protection and conservation of Tallmadge’s natural resources. 

I will make decisions to ensure Tallmadge remains financially strong.  I will review the cost of planned projects to ensure that we move forward on the ones that provide the highest value for our community.

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

To best serve Tallmadge, I will seek knowledge and guidance from my constituents, experts, other council members and elected officials, city administrators, and community leaders. I will work on projects that promote redevelopment and ensure that conservationist viewpoints are considered in the city’s decision making processes. 

David G. Kline

Democratic

Education: 4 years local 219 and, Paramedic school at AGMC

Training/experience: 44 years with The City Of Tallmadge

Campaign email address: dkline34@sbcglobal.net

Previous public office: 14yrs Tallmadge Mayor, 10yrs Tallmadge Director of Public Service, 10yrs Tallmadge City Council , and 10yrs Tallmadge Fire Dept.

Campaign phone: 330-352-3690

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

As a lifelong resident and with my many years of experience working for the city, I have a strong working knowledge of all the operations of the city. I did take a two years off and now feel it’s time to give back to my community once again.

What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?

• Fiscal responsibility
• Economic Development in both the City of Tallmadge and in the Brimfield JEDD
• Enhancing all our city services
• Working with the Joint Dispatch Center

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

• As Mayor I was responsible for submitting the budget to council for the city, so with that knowledge of working with all departments I will be able to help my colleagues and the administration with a fiscally responsible budget. We must continue setting long term financial goals for the capital budget.
• Working with our partners to help strengthen our economic goals within the over-lay areas. Also, working with Brimfield on future development of the JEDD.
• My passion is for all our city employees.  We must provide the best training possible for the Police, Fire, Street and Utilities Departments.
• As Mayor I was on the team to develop the Summit County Dispatch Center in the City of Tallmadge, I will continue to work with our partners to enhance the center.

Nick Rubino

Republican

(Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.)