Candidate Profile: Tristan Rader, Lakewood City Council

Tristan Rader

Age (as of Election Day)

35

Position Sought

Lakewood City Council At Large

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wife Caitlin Rader

Education

Cleveland State University, Master of Public Administration (MPA); Kent State University, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA); Lorain County Community College, Associate of Arts (AA)

Occupation

Ohio Program Director, Solar United Neighbors

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Lakewood City Council At-Large (2018-present)

Campaign website

https://www.tristanrader.com/

Why are you seeking elective office?

I hope to extend first-term achievements including clean energy progress, upgraded parks and green space, more-open government, and affordable housing. Two important changes which I’m advocating are a direct participatory element for budgeting, and local campaign finance rules.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Inclusion is a high priority for Lakewood, which confronts various challenges. One is affordability, of housing as well as costs of living such as water rates, under pressure as the city pays for necessary infrastructure upgrades. I helped Lakewood prepare an affordable housing strategy, and I look forward to the work of applying that strategy in redevelopment and other policy areas.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I ran for City Council as an outsider, in order to change things, and I have proved that I can do so. Within my first months on council, we replaced the city's discriminatory breed-specific dog ban with legislation which is fairer and safer. It took longer to go through all of the calls and bureaucracy necessary to get green space north of downtown turned into a real city park, but last year I got this done for residents also. I'm seeking a second term to continue pushing for changes which are not always easy.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

We have learned a lot which we didn't know, but our local government has done a good job of responding to information as it evolved.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Inclusiveness, affordability, sustainability, and accountable, responsive government should guide our policies and practices. I want to improve the city's ongoing communication efforts, to make sure residents consistently have the kind of timely updates about issues of interest which people expect. I look forward to completing a Climate Action Plan which will meet our responsibilities to this and future generations. On this issue and elsewhere, Lakewood has multiple projects started which can provide a positive legacy for decades if we get them right: redevelopment of sites throughout the city, water and sewer upgrades, a new senior center, and more. We need to sustain good communication throughout all of this, both informing and listening to the residents.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am proud of my work on City Council so far, including a commitment by our city to 100% renewable energy, and 650kW of solar power added to city buildings already. The modernized public record request system which I helped introduce has been recognized by the Ohio Auditor, and most important of all it is accessible to and used by residents. The Lakewood Tree Board which I helped create is doing great work. As we have been building and upgrading, we have balanced the city's budgets, and recently even slowed down the previously approved schedule for water rate increases.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Get involved and help if you can. Don't leave it for the perfect time, or the perfect person. You can make a positive difference somehow, and it's incredibly rewarding when you do.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am available and responsive to all those I serve because people need a direct line to the government that they rightfully own. Those that know me well know that I often say: I have one phone number, it’s my cell, call me any time. I have the most open of open-door policies. And people know when they call me, I pick up, and I’m there for them.