Highland Heights Mayor Election 2011: Scott Coleman

Editor's Note: As part of Hillcrest Patch's election coverage, we will provide profiles of each of the candidates running for local office. These profiles will offer biographical and issue-oriented details about each of the candidates to help you, the voters, make more-informed decisions at the ballot box. Stay tuned for more coverage of the election.

Name: Scott Coleman

Age: 50

Occupation: Mayor, Highland Heights; tax manager, Progressive Insurance

Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting from Cleveland State University, 1984; Mayfield High School, 1979

Political affiliation: Republican

Office sought: Mayor, city of Highland Heights

Previous political office sought or held: Mayor, 2004 to present; council at large, 1996-1997 and 2000-2003; Council Ward 4, 1998-1999; Council president, 1999-2003

Statement: My wife Martha and I both grew up in Highland Heights and I have been a resident for 46 years. I am very honored to have had the opportunity to serve Highland Heights for 16 years, the past eight as mayor.

I am proud of my accomplishments and that of my administration. Our city has recently been recognized by Money Magazine as being the 30th best place in the country to live. I have been an effective leader and have helped Highland Heights to grow into a model community. I have a proven record of being fiscally responsible while addressing the wants and needs of the residents and business community.

Our general fund balance has doubled since I have been in office and our outstanding debt has been reduced dramatically during my tenure. We have addressed numerous infrastructure needs over the past eight years without incurring any additional interest bearing debt. I have been effective managing our city's budget while increasing services to residents and with not reduction of staff. During these trying economic times I believe this is quite an accomplishment.

Over the next four years our city needs to continue to address our infrastructure needs in a fiscally responsible manner. We need to work with neighboring communities to see what, if any, resources can be shared without sacrificing services to the residents.

I have been endorsed by the mayors of Mayfield Village, Mayfield Heights, Gates Mills, Lyndhurst, Willoughy Hills, Richmond Heights, South Euclid, Cleveland Heights and Kirtland. I have also been endorsed by our congressman, state treasurer, state senator and hundreds of residents. I feel these endorsements as well as my past accomplishments and vision for the future make me the best candidate to continue to lead Highland Heights.

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