This article is part of the 2025 General Election Voters' Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.

Scott Barr

Scott Barr is running for the open Twinsburg City Council at-large seat.
Scott Barr is running for the open Twinsburg City Council at-large seat. (Photo courtesy of Scott Barr)

Nonpartisan

Training/experience: I am in my 8th year as the City of Twinsburg, Council Person at Large.  I am a small business owner.   I have served as Chair of the Finance Committee, and served as both President and Vice President of City Council.  I was a member of the Twinsburg Environmental Commission, the Twinsburg Redistricting Commission, and the Ethan’s Green Home Owner’s Association.  I have served as a member of the Cleveland Home Builder’s Association and was Chair of the Membership Committee.  I have volunteered for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Northeast Ohio Chapter.

Campaign email address: slb5814@yahoo.com

Website: www.Barr4Twinsburg.com

Campaign phone: 330-405-2976

Education: Kent State University 1993 – 1998 Major in Communications  *Garrettsville / University of Akron Basic Police Academy 1999 – 2000 Graduated 1st in class  *Cuyahoga Community College 2003 – 2005 Firefighter 1 (120 hours) Emergency Medical Technician (120 hours)  *National Association of Home Builders University of Housing 2008 – 2010 Certified Graduate Builder Certified Green Professional

Previous public office: Current City of Twinsburg Council Person At Large

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScottBarrTwinsburg/

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

Simply put, I have the experience required to keep Twinsburg moving forward in a positive direction.  Having served on City Council for the past two terms has allowed me to gain the experience to be an effective member of City Council.  I have an excellent working relationship with the Mayor and the City Administration.  I have helped to pass meaningful legislation that has ensured our Police and Fire pension obligations are secure.  I was involved in the complete re-write and update of the Twinsburg zoning code.  Our current City Council and Mayor work extremely well together.  We all share the vision of moving Twinsburg forward.

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

I would continue the work that I have started.  Twinsburg’s facilities are aging.   We need to replace our current Service Department building.  We also need to look at updating or replacing Station 1 at the Fire Department.  Additionally, I would like to see  Downtown Twinsburg updated.  We need new retail opportunities.  Twinsburg would benefit from a refreshed downtown.  Responsible development opportunities need to be considered and evaluated.

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

The best strategy is a good working relationship with the Mayor, and the City’s Department Heads.  I have spent my last two terms on City Council cultivating and building solid relationships with our City Administration.  This trust has allowed City Council and the Mayor to tackle some substantial issues over the past several years.  An open dialogue and a mutual respect for our City’s Department Heads will allow us to keep moving Twinsburg in a positive direction.

Shaun Castillo is running for an open at-large seat on the Twinsburg City Council.
Shaun Castillo is running for the open at-large seat on the Twinsburg City Council. (Photo courtesy of Shaun Castillo)

Shaun Castillo

Nonpartisan

Campaign email address: Shaun@voteshauncastillo.com

Website: www.voteshauncastillo.com

Campaign phone: 561-777-5454

Instagram: www.instagram.com/castillo_for_council?igsh=MTlqZ3dldXhxdms5eg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Education: Palm Beach Atlantic University: BS Business Marketing and Communications | Hondros College: Real Estate 

Previous public office: N/A

Why are you the best candidate for the office?

I am the best candidate for Twinsburg City Council At-Large because I bring both proven leadership and a fresh perspective. As Vice Chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission and a longtime community volunteer, I’ve seen how collaboration can move projects forward. My professional background in business and community relations gives me the tools to connect residents, local businesses, and government to solve problems together. I believe in listening first, finding common ground, and building solutions that reflect the values of all our residents. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure Twinsburg continues to thrive as a welcoming, vibrant, and connected community.

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

My top priority is building a partnership between the City of Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township to program and activate the Twinsburg Square. As the historic heart of our community, the Square should be a place where families gather, events thrive, and local pride is on display year-round. Alongside that, I am committed to revitalizing our community spaces by maintaining and enhancing existing parks and exploring new opportunities that serve families of every generation. I also want to drive smart, balanced economic development by reimagining our downtown and creating opportunities that reflect our city’s unique heritage. At the core of these priorities is strengthening collaboration between residents, businesses, and local leadership so that Twinsburg continues to grow while preserving the values that make our city special.

What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?

I believe the best outcomes come when we bring people to the table. To achieve my priorities, I will actively engage residents by hosting listening sessions, community forums, and neighborhood meetups. I will work to strengthen collaboration with Twinsburg Township and regional partners to maximize shared opportunities, such as programming and maintaining the Square. I’ll also advocate for data-driven decision-making that ensures development is thoughtful and balanced. Above all, I will lead with transparency, accessibility, and a willingness to listen — because progress in Twinsburg requires not just one voice, but a community working together.

Laurie Facsina (withdrawn)

Nonpartisan

(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.