Jensen Announces Mayoral Candidacy, Seeks to Succeed Jim Smith

The first candidate hoping to replace Mayor Jim Smith is in.

Four-term Avon City Councilman Bryan Jensen, 52, announced he is running for the mayor’s seat in Avon in the November 2013 election.

Five-term Avon mayor, Jim Smith, has said he will not seek re-election. Smith began serving as the city’s part-time mayor in 1994. His term ends at the end of 2013. The position is now full time.

 “It has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Smith under whose leadership we’ve seen amazing growth in Avon,” Jensen said.  “My goal is to continue that legacy of smart growth and to do my part to keep Avon a wonderful and safe place to live and work.”

For the past eight years, Jensen, the president and owner of has been actively involved with the development of the community and he said he would like to continue that involvement now as mayor. 

In a press release, Jensen said as a successful local businessman, he understands fiscal responsibility.  Since many major city projects have been completed recently, Jensen’s key objectives will be to build the cash surplus (rainy day fund), continue the work on flood control and keep improving all other aspects of Avon City Government and its services for its residents.

Jensen has been married for 27 years to his wife Kimberly and is the father of two children, both of whom graduated from the Avon School System.

Avon politics pre-date Jensen’s four terms as councilman.

His father, Neils Jensen, served 10 years as an Avon city councilman. 

The candidate has been an active volunteer with Avon Schools and city sports programs, including coaching youth soccer. 

Jensen is a graduate of West Liberty State College in West Virginia with a double major in Business Management and General Business. He has served two years on the Avon Planning Commission and eight years on the Avon Safety and Service Committees and is a member of the French Creek Merchants Association. He is also the past president of the Greater Cleveland Flower Growers Association.

Smith, who has toyed with the idea of retiring in the past, has publicly noted he will not run for office again. Smith has a long history of accomplishments in Avon including his involvement with bringing in a new YMCA, All Pro Freight Stadium and the affiliate baseball team, the and this year the completion of the Nagel-I 90 Interchange.

No other candidates have come forward yet.