Bryan Poorman is running for the open Ward 2 Barberton City Council seat.
Bryan Poorman is running for the open Ward 2 Barberton City Council seat. (Photo courtesy of Bryan Poorman)

Bryan Poorman

Democratic

Campaign phone: 419-289-6243

Website: bryanpoorman.wordpress.com

Campaign email address: bpoorman48@gmail.com

Training/experience: Over 38 years of Non-Profit Accountant, and Dealing with both Federal and State Grants

Education: Graduated from Ashland University with a major in accounting.

Previous public office: none

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

What sets me apart from the other candidates is my experience with non-profit accounting, but it is still different then governmental accounting. I do have experience with State and Federal funding. I have created budgets for a 26-million-dollar company. I do understand how hard the city employees work doing all the reports required by the State and Federal agencies. I have experience working on committees. Being a member of City Council is not about what I can do, but we as a council can do for Barberton. We must work together with the citizens of Barberton who should have a voice in what goes on in the city. Since I relocated to Barberton instead of being born here, I appreciate Barberton more. I am a member of Norton Grand Squares, Magic City Democrats, Salvation Army advisory Board, and Tuscora Park Health & Wellness Foundation. I volunteer for several Barberton activities including clean the Parks. For 4 consecutive years. I do not shy away from volunteering or helping.

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

We are losing too many dedicated, qualified employees. We need to be here for the city employees as well as the citizens of Barberton. We need to pursue all available grant dollars for the community.  Prioritizing our greatest needs of the community. Economic development – attracting new residents, new businesses, and helping current businesses.   Flooding, and water reservoir repair. These are big problems and will take state and federal funding

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

I want to hear your suggestions and will advocate for them when possible. And I want to hear your thoughts, good or bad, about how we are doing. I will be there for you. We should meet with the different city departments to see what they need to get their job done efficiently. I will be here for Ward 2 residents of Barberton.ewardship of city resources.

Chuck Easterling (write-in)

Nonpartisan

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

Mike Hoover

Republican

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

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.