This article is part of the Voters Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
Description of Race/Referendum:
Vote for no more than one — term commencing Jan. 1, 2025.
The County Council is the eleven-member legislative authority, taxing authority and policy-making body of the Summit County government.
Bethany McKenney
Republican
Candidate Email: bethanymckenney@gmail.com
Training/Experience: District Nurse Manchester Schools (PSI Affiliates), 13 years (including several yrs at St. Francis De Sales); Akron General Medical Center, RN, 3 years and Nurse Tech 3 yrs; Barberton Citizens Hospital RN (Guardian Angels), 1 year; Barberton Area Community Ministries, Board of Directors and founder/leader of their Senior Food Deliveries; Magics Ready To Learn, Board of Directors, providing kids school supply lists; Church member, volunteer, The Chapel; Many other leadership, training and volunteer experiences.
Current occupation: Summit County Councilperson, District 7
Campaign phone: 330-819-6350
Website: BethanyMcKenney.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncilwomanMcKenney?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Education: University of Akron, School of Nursing, BSN, summa cum laude, graduated in 1997. Registered Nurse (RN)
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
Serving since 2018, I’m an award-winning councilperson, proven to be committed to our community. I’ve worked to lower taxes by being the only official from Summit County to give testimony against raising property values to the Ways and Means Committee meeting in Columbus, 2023. I’ve also led homeowner tax discount clinics to help eligible local residents, seniors, disabled, veterans receive the homestead exemption or 2.5% homeowner occupancy discount, lowering their property taxes.
I’ve used my 20+ years of nursing experience to lead on health and safety issues, served on the pandemic’s frontlines and made decisions that helped us endure and recover. I ensured that federal COVID-19 funds directly helped citizens, local businesses and safety forces. For example, I cosponsored the Summit County COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Relief Grant to help businesses stay afloat. I’ve remained accessible to residents to help them with their needs and have initiated programs to help our district.
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
I’m working to lower taxes by helping local residents save thousands of dollars in property taxes by leading Tax Discount Clinics and fighting directives that lead to unfair property tax increases. I have helped many seniors and others apply for property tax discounts. One widow said it made the difference in her staying in her home.
I’m working to prevent flooding through funding, as a member of the local Stormwater Task Force and as a cosponsor of the legislation to create a Stormwater Management Committee.
I’ll continue to be accessible to you, listening and responding. I’ll continue holding regular office hours.
I’ll continue to fight for you! I received the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Ohio Kiwanis with my husband Judge McKenney for significant acts of caring. For example, I lead the Senior Delivery Program at BACM to deliver food to homebound seniors in need.
In short, my top priority has always been you and I look forward to continuing to work hard for you.
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
I will continue to identify and assist residents of my district who qualify for property tax discounts. I will continue to host my property tax discount clinics enlisting the help of the fiscal office. I’ll monitor upcoming state legislation regarding tax relief and implement practical ways to assist, hands-on, residents to take advantage of the help, as I did with our Summit County COVID-19 Small Business ER Relief Grants. I personally called or visited every business that I could identify in my district to encourage and assist them.
I will continue to meet with you, hear your concerns and resolve issues. I host regular office hours throughout my district in local businesses. I am here to serve you and to keep you informed with honesty and integrity. My phone number is 330.819.6350.
I have strong bipartisan support because I know that we need to work together to get results. It’s been my honor to serve you and for all these reasons, I am asking for your vote to continue.
Ryan Shank
Democrat
Candidate Email: rshank236@gmail.com
Campaign Email: shankforcountycouncil@gmail.com
Training/Experience: S.A.L.T. BOX Ministries, Worked as Volunteer/Cook (8 years); Barberton Community Ministries, Worked as Volunteer (1 year); Political Director for Real Action Inc. (1 year); Membership Director for the Summit County Young Democrats (2 years); Precinct Captain of Barberton Ward 2-A (1 year); Committee Member of the Summit County Democrats Next Generation Committee (1 year); A variety of other collegiate and work-related leadership experience and other volunteer experience relating to my church and community
Current occupation: Machine Operator
Campaign phone: 330-571-2304
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ryanshankforcountycouncil/
Education: University of Akron, School of Arts & Sciences, Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Graduated 2021
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
I believe I am the best candidate for the position because I bring a fresh and unique vision for Summit County. For years, we have seen the same politicians get elected to the council and, in the meantime, Summit County residents have gotten little in return. Our current leaders are too focused on re-election and only show up to work when election season comes around. The rest of the time, we never hear from them, or see meaningful change. I want to change that.
I want to bring passion, dedication, and a blue-collar attitude to our County Council, moving it towards being a proactive and effective government body, focused on the well-being of Summit County residents. We need someone who is going to put people first by working to combat rising crime rates hurting our communities, bolstering our economy by prioritizing our small businesses, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency, and working to rebuild our infrastructure, including our inadequate storm drainage system.
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
Rebuilding our Economy: I will work to rebuild our county economy by building a system that supports and strengthens small businesses, expanding job training programs, stimulating investment by working with local Democrats and Republicans to bring new businesses and opportunities into the county, and cutting taxes for middle-class families and small businesses.
Rebuilding our Infrastructure: I will be a leading voice on the council to invest in better storm drainage systems and improving zoning and building codes to protect our homes and neighborhoods from bouts of extreme weather. Rebuilding our roads, bridges, sidewalks, and replacing lead pipes in our county will also be at the top of my priorities.
Fighting the Crime Crisis: Summit County ranks as having one of the worst crime rates in Northeast Ohio. On the County Council, I will push to open dialogue with law enforcement so we can work to find the best solutions to these problems and ensure the safety of our communities.
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
My strategy is simple: focus on the task at hand, do what is expected of me, and listen to the people. I will put people over politics and be a fearless advocate for you on the County Council. My office, phone, email, and any other method of getting a hold of a County Council member will be available to anyone who wants to get in contact with me or my office. I will constantly look to hear from Summit County residents and hear their thoughts on ordinances and what they believe needs to be done to better Summit County.
Anyone who has questions, needs help, or is simply looking to voice their frustrations will be welcome to call, email, or visit my office. The more input from everyday residents, the better. If you have concerns or want to share your thoughts, feel free to contact me at shankforcountycouncil@gmail.com, or call 330-845-0264 anytime on the weekdays after 3:00 PM. We are all in this together, and together, we will make our County Council work for the people.
