Bucci Will Seek Re-Election

Avon Lake Councilman-at-Large Dan Bucci has announced he will seek re-election in November.

Bucci made the announcement in front of a private gathering of more than 50 friends and supporters today. He also kicked off a Facebook page where supporters can follow the campaign.

“When I ran for City Council four years ago, I campaigned on a platform of making economic development not only my focus, but also that of Council as a whole and the Mayor’s office,” Bucci said Feb. 10. “We have made progress toward that end and I am running to ensure that the next phases of the City’s economic development plan are implemented.”

Bucci, an attorney, was elected to one of three council-at-large seats in 2009, earning the most votes of four candidates. He serves with other council-at-large members Martin O'Donnell, the council president, and John Shondel.

On council, he is heavily involved in economic development.

As a founding member of Avon Lake Waterfront LLC, a private non-profit organization not affiliated with the City, he helped organize three lakefront festivals last summer to drive people to the lake shore and spotlight local businesses. 

One of those events was a popular wine festival that brought approximately 1,500 people to Veterans Park.

Bucci   a one of a kind initiative that uses the income taxes paid by a business’s employees to incentivize Avon Lake companies to stay and grow in Avon Lake, as well as attract new businesses to town. 

He is currently drafting legislation to initiate a Community Improvement Corporation that will use non-tax dollar revenues to support local businesses.

Active in the Lorain County Republican party, Bucci was instrumental in bringing Rob Portman and Josh Mandel to the city to stump for Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney last year.

When Romney made a campaign stop at Avon Lake High School days before the Presidential election, Bucci was one of the speakers, along with councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch, who helped introduce Romney.

Bucci had been approached by the Romney campaign to find a location for the rally. 

Bucci and his wife, Andrea, who have two daughters, are also original board members of Smiles for Sophie Forever, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to families burdened by pediatric brain tumors and seeks to increase global awareness of pediatric brain tumors and the lack of research funding. 

Bucci is currently employed as the manager of public policy for University Hospital. He was previously employed with MetroHealth Medical Center as the Manager, Federal Government Relations and before that an attorney with Thompson Hine law firm.

Bucci is the first person to announce his intention for a council-at-large seat. All three at-large seats will be up election in the November General Election. Avon Lake elections are non-partisan.