This article is part of the 2025 General Election Voters' Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
Silver Lake Village District A Council
James Kurtz
Nonpartisan
Education: High School Diploma
Training/experience: State of Ohio Certified Electrical Contractor and Electrical Safety Inspector, Previous Business owner and Retired Assistant Director of Facilities Management at Kent State University
Previous public office: None
Campaign email address: jakurtz@kent.edu
Campaign phone: 330-814-3350
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
Most of my career has been in the public sector. The diverse experience and knowledge I have gained in various fields directly relate to what the Village of Silver Lake Council oversees and manages. Thus, it makes me be a positive addition to their team.
Credentials:
Partnered with engineers at Kent State University to maintain the utilities and infrastructure for 131 buildings on 950 acres of land.
As Assistant Director of University Facilities Management, I created, chaired and served as a member of various leadership committees at KSU.
Worked with Human Resources at KSU on salary analysis, fair work practices, interviews, as well as training and retention of employees.
Created and oversaw budgets for the maintenance department and a special software project in which I was the Project Manager at KSU.
Previous owner of Kurtz Electric.
Ohio Certified Electrical Contractor and Electrical Safety Inspector.
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
Priority 1:
To encourage improved transparency between the Village Council and its citizens. Citizens should be aware of how the Village operates and the decisions that are made on their behalf.
Priority 2:
Find ways to keep costs on major projects to a minimum using industry approved standards as well as securing available federal and state grants to offset the project costs.
Why is this my priority? Because much of the operating cost to the Village (taxpayer dollars) are linked with the major projects that affect its aging infrastructure (piping, equipment and basins that supply water and sanitary systems and storm water drainage, etc.) as well as road repair and replacement to mention a few. The cost of these projects is very substantial and have the real potential to cut deeply into the Village’s general fund and reserves.
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
Priority 1:
To make it more convenient for Silver Lake citizens to keep current on issues concerning them by providing them easy access to the Bi-monthly council meetings. Currently, this can be done by in-person attendance, request for an audio tape of the past Council meeting(s) or gaining access to the meeting(s) minutes via the Silver Lake website. If elected, I would propose Council use live YouTube videos of the Council meetings as used by many communities around us. They provide real time access to citizens who cannot attend meetings in person. Live videos allow citizens to see their Village leadership in action.
Priority 2:
I have experience with maintaining large infrastructures and overseeing the work of contractors and engineers. My first action would be to have access to the current engineer and contractor hiring/bidding process, review the upcoming projects to assure the scope of work to be done is cost effective and covers only what the project requires.
Thomas Dicaudo
Nonpartisan
Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.
Silver Lake Village District B Council
Kevin Rozsa
Nonpartisan
Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.
Silver Lake Village District C Council
Philip Kaplan
Nonpartisan
Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.
Silver Lake Village District D Council
Matthew J. Plesich
Nonpartisan
Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.