Meet the Candidate: Greg Zilka for Avon Lake Mayor

Greg Zilka is running for the position of mayor of Avon Lake on Nov. 8, 2011.

Name:  Greg Zilka

Date of Birth: 11/22/46

Occupation: Retired teacher, Avon Lake City Schools (35 yrs.)

Education: B.S. in Education, M. Ed. from Kent State University; post graduate work at Cleveland State, Boston University, Tufts University, University of San Francisco, University of California at Davis, Ashland University

Family: Married to Patricia (37 yrs.), Daughter Hila married to Jeff Hritz and grandchildren Gregory and Emily; Son Alex and his partner Mike Pattarozzi

Years residing in Avon Lake: 37

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Office Sought: Mayor of Avon Lake

Previous Office held:  Member of Avon Lake City Council, 26 years; City Council President for more than 14 years; interim Mayor of Avon Lake

Email:  zilkaformayor@gregzilka.com

Campaign page:  www.gregzilka.com

Candidate statement: I have demonstrated experienced, responsible and disciplined leadership over the past 26 years on Avon Lake city council. As president of council for 14 years, I have worked with three different mayors to develop a sound fiscal policy to assure economic stability for our city. Because of sound fiscal decisions in the past, we have been able to weather the current economic downturn. Over the years, city council has scrutinized each line item in the budget to allow for the maintenance of our fine city services without making drastic cuts in our workforce. Reductions in the workforce have occurred by resignation and retirement without replacing those individuals.

As your mayor, I will make economic development a top priority. City council established an economic development committee last year and has held meetings with business owners and citizens to solicit their input on Avon Lake’s future. It is imperative that we broaden the city’s tax base to make us less vulnerable in the event of the loss of a major corporate resident. We need to be sensitive to the challenges of the small businesses currently located in our community and continue to offer seminars to afford them the tools that they might need to become more efficient and viable.

Maintaining city streets and all other infrastructure is important for Avon Lake’s long term growth. Our residents expect good city services and also reliable utilities during harsh weather. Power outages and flooding are major concerns to residents and we need to work with private utilities to reduce a disruption in services which causes damage to property. A review of our storm water master plan is necessary to deal with the all too common flooding in several neighborhoods. We need to pursue all alternatives, including the possibility of working with neighboring communities to seek a more economical and efficient approach to government while maintaining our local identity. As a candidate for mayor of Avon Lake, I have the leadership skills to accomplish these goals.