Andrew Lipian

Safety

From the street to the sidewalk, Elyria must promote a safer image. Kids should feel secure leaving their bikes in the yard, while traffic laws need more robust enforcement. Our uneven sidewalks could be fixed by applying for a "Safe Routes to School" grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), which would allocate up to 4 million dollars for sidewalk renovation within a 2-mile radius of the new school in Eastern Heights. We also should install solar-powered LED Stop Signs at problem intersections, as well as make sure the temporary speed bumps on Garford are installed immediately, before more victims of speeding on that road are recorded. 

Business

Elyria's job market needs some TLC: from Restaurants to Commercial Real-Estate. Our city has so much potential, and there is too much missed opportunity. The Bendix Building, once vacated, can be used for smaller commercial businesses, which can eventually seed out to the rest of the city, making it a breeding ground for new growth. Furthermore, as City Councilman, I will advocate for Lorain County to repurpose the Midway Mall location as the site for the planned Convention Center (funded with the hotel tax). This would be a shot in the arm for local restaurants, and be a bulwark for new businesses, reviving the Midway Mall area again.

Diversity and Inclusion 

We have to think outside the Ballot Box! Lack of diverse perspectives on city council stultifies creativity and silences, rather than empowers. Welcoming new voices on council, not just people from the same party, is needed for progress. We also must engage younger citizens in their local government, and everyone should know the Councilman for their ward. To include the citizens in the conversation, if elected, I will set up hours in East Park where citizens of the 1st Ward can come up and tell me about their problems. I will also go out into the community, engaging with citizens so they know their government cares about them.