Candidate Spotlight: Jerry James (Ward 7— Cuyahoga Falls City Council)
The CF Dems Club will be spotlighting our 2021 candidates through November. Be sure to keep stopping by to learn more.
Meet Jerry, candidate for Ward 7 City Council in Cuyahoga Falls. Here’s a little about them:
I have been a home owner in ward seven for 40 years and raised two sons with my beautiful wife Linda and there is not a better city than Cuyahoga Falls to call home. I am a proud Black Tiger and graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School and earned my degree in Business Management from the University of Akron.
I retired after a career at the Summit County Fiscal Office and now have an even better job as “Grandpa” to two precious grandchildren. I have served on council for ten terms and was former Council President and current Pro Tem.
I am respected and trusted by my peers on council because they know that they can count on my honesty and integrity while conducting city business matters. I bring stability and consistency in representation to the residents of ward seven. Experience and seniority have equaled results for our ward. Every resident is represented fairly and equally. The residents in ward seven know that I am dependable and proactive in addressing their concerns about our neighborhoods and city services.
To learn more about Jerry, please see our entire Q&A below.
What motivated you to enter public service?
I thoroughly enjoy talking to people in our community and meeting new residents. I have taken the time to respond to the needs of our citizens and hear their concerns through neighborhood walks, phone calls, and social media. I factor empathy and compassion into every decision to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and keep them safe, strong, and vibrant.
I also take great pride in the fiscal strength of the entire city and I take the responsibility of managing our public funds seriously and make sure that we invest our money wisely in development projects and fundamental maintenance. I will continue to support the revitalization efforts for the economic growth and infrastructure improvements throughout our city.
What issues are most important to you and our community?
The top priority that I have consistently addressed are my constituent’s concerns regarding their quality of life and the services that Cuyahoga Falls offers its residents. We need to continue to have safe neighborhoods, vibrant parks, successful schools, and strong municipal leadership for continued economic growth.
The re-opening of Front Street brought back our Main Street USA. Front Street now has restaurants and small businesses and with that brings job opportunities and new tax revenue. It’s truly a wonderful experience to see children playing on the splash pad, couples having dinner on one of the sidewalk patios, or families stopping for an ice cream. We can continue to create opportunities for small business owners throughout our city by ensuring our infrastructure is conducive for future development projects.
We can protect our property values by maintaining our neighborhoods and giving our residents a city to work, play, and call home. Investing back into our municipality to safeguard our common wealth and assets will provide residents a greater quality of life for future generations.
Tell us why Cuyahoga Falls is home to you.
I will always have fond memories of growing up in Cuyahoga Falls and living in River Estates. I was fortunate to grow up in a vibrant community and able to walk to Water Works Park. I got to spend my youth playing baseball on the fields and swimming with all my friends. I learned how to play football on those fields and continued to play football for CFHS and University of Akron.
I passed along the lessons and skills I learned as an athlete growing up in Cuyahoga Falls by coaching youth teams when my kids were younger because I wanted them to feel the same Black Tiger pride I have. Water Works Park is still one of my favorite places to go in the city. Linda and I frequently walk our new rescue dog, Whiskey, around Water Works and let him run in the dog park. I love seeing all the people kayaking and tubing in the river and enjoying its natural beauty.
We are truly blessed to have so many neighborhood parks and we must maintain them so that this generation of children can have those same memories growing up here in Cuyahoga Falls.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in Cuyahoga Falls?
There have been so many new opportunities for dinning that have opened in recent years. Cuyahoga Falls really has a taste of everything nearby. I really enjoy Papaya Salad on E Bath Rd. for something light and healthy. Linda and I also like to walk down to the end of our street and grab a burger at The Basement on Monroe Falls Ave. Sometimes I’ll walk to B&K Rootbeer on Monroe Falls Ave. if Linda is working late. They have the absolute best sloppy joe’s and coney dogs!
Where would you like to see Cuyahoga Falls in 10 years?
A strong and vivacious city with small town values and home to good people. We are definitely on the right path and I will continue to work hard and keep us moving forward in that direction.
Why are you proud to be a Democrat?
I am a traditional Democrat that values equal rights and believes that equal rights applies to everyone equally. I believe to accomplish that goal we must be willing to engage in honest conversations, respect new ideas, concepts, and perspectives.
There are few absolutes in life. Our democracy has always been built upon our freedom to have individual opinions and our willingness to discuss and debate those ideas with respect and civility towards each other.
What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?
There is nothing more wonderful than to relax at the end of the day with my lovely wife Linda, our new rescue dog Whiskey, and a good book. I am truly blessed to begin and end every day with the two of them.
Favorite song & why?
“The Hard Way Everytime” by Jim Croce because the lyrics speak to who I am and the road I’ve traveled.
