2021 primary election preview: Three candidates vying for Vermilion mayor's seat

Jim Forthofer, 68 Education: Northwestern University; Syracuse University; St. Edward High School, Lakewood; St. Mary's Elementary School, Avon. Family: fiancée Susan Cieslak Job history: Incumbent mayor. Retired publisher of trade magazines. Two years as Ward 3 councilman, Vermilion City Council, serving on numerous city boards and Council committees. Web site: forthofer4mayor.com *** Jerry Kyle, 59 Education: Northwood University; Vermilion Schools Family: wife Phyllis; daughters Alex and Sam. Job history: Salesman at Pat O'Brien Chevrolet; former owner of Kyle Buick-Pontiac. Web site: JerryKyleForMayor.com; facebook.com/JerryKyleForMayor *** Daniel Roth, 62 Education: Wittenberg University; real estate license from Hondros College of Real Estate; Leadership Lorain County; Vermilion Schools. Family: wife Laura; daughters, Mallory and Chloe. Job history: Owner of multiple small businesses over the last 40 years; 10 years as a Vermilion City Council member, including Council president from 1998 to 2005 and Councilman at-large from 2008-09, serving on numerous committees. Substitute teacher for 12 years. Web site: rothformayor2021.wixsite.com; "Dan Roth for Mayor - Vermilion, Ohio" on Facebook. ***Three candidates are running in the May 4 primary, seeking two spots on the November ballot from which one will be chosen to be Vermilion's next mayor. The nonpartisan race pits incumbent Mayor Jim Forthofer against two longtime Vermilion businessmen: Former Kyle Buick-Pontiac owner Jerry Kyle and Dan Roth, a small business owner and former city councilman. The top two vote getters will go on to face each other in the November election. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Forthofer: I have proven that I can lead Vermilion. In the past four years as mayor, I have been true to my campaign promise of bringing new business to Vermilion's East Liberty Corridor. Businesses that run 24/7, employ people and pay taxes. Downtown business space is at 100 percent capacity. The city is now fiscally solvent. Our bond rating was increased. Water main breaks have been reduced by replacing the most critical 10 percent of the city's mains. I demonstrated crisis leadership by making hard decisions to protect residents during the worst days of COVID-19. Other candidates promise. I have the proven leadership that makes me the best candidate for the job of Vermilion mayor. Kyle: I have the skill set, historical background and energy that can move Vermilion to the next level. I have lived in Vermilion my entire life. I graduated from the Vermilion school system as my daughters did as well. I graduated from college with a bachelor of business administration degree with degrees in accounting, merchandising/marketing and social science. I owned/operated a third-generation multi-departmental business in Vermilion (Kyle Buick-Pontiac.) I have been active in the city. A city needs to be run like a business by a person who understands the history and residents of that city. I have that skill set. Roth: I feel that I am the best candidate for mayor of Vermilion because I have proven my commitment to this community for my entire life. I have always been invested, owning properties, starting businesses, and getting involved in community projects and local politics. As mayor, I will surround myself with talented and knowledgeable people who share this love for Vermilion.What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it? Forthofer: Vermilion needs more money. Period. Streets need to be repaired, water mains need to be replaced and a serious look taken at our 60 year old waste water treatment plant. I will continue development of our East Liberty Business Corridor. We need more good, clean, taxpaying distribution centers and light manufacturing. The tax burden must be shifted off of the backs of residents and shared by a larger business community. Our historic downtown will always be what attracts people to Vermilion. But I will continue to grow an economic engine in our underdeveloped east side of town to feed our future projects. Kyle: Financial stability. In order to achieve that we need to focus on several things. I want to actively prospect for new businesses (that has been outlined in my "Reach Out" program), allow current businesses to grow with solid marketing of Vermilion (you will never buy a product if you don't know about it - you may never visit Vermilion if you haven't heard of it), and attract new residents. My skill set of understanding/teaching prospecting, marketing, 40 years of working with businesses and the public, accounting, negotiating and being a natural problem solver will provide the solid foundation to achieve this. Roth: I believe that the biggest challenge facing the city, at this time, will be reopening and recovering from the pandemic. It has hurt many local businesses and now they are struggling again, with staffing issues, and capital to advertise and bring customers back. We need to help them get back up to speed by assisting with networking, and promotion. We must let the surrounding areas know that Vermilion is "open" for business, We are ready to work with the existing business, as well as welcome new entrepreneurs and expanding companies, to come grow with us.