Politics & Government

Mentor City Council Election 2011 Candidate Profile: Carolyn P. Bucey

As part of our election coverage, Mentor Patch will provide profiles of each of the candidates for local office

Editor's Note: As part of Mentor Patch's local election coverage, we will provide profiles of each of the candidates running for 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: Carolyn P. Bucey

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Age: 45

Occupation: Homemaker, Wife, Mother, Mentor City Councilwoman

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Education: Cleveland State University 1989 Bachelor’s of Science in Education, 5 Year License: Elementary Education 1-8, Mathematics 9-12.

Cleveland State University 1998 Master’s of Education, 5 Year License: Gifted Education K-12.

Office Sought: Ward 2

Elected Experience: Mentor Ward 2 Councilwoman, elected in 2008

Non-elected Experience: Non-elected experience: Classroom Teacher, South Euclid – Lyndhurst City Schools 1990-2000

Experienced advocate and activist: Cochairman of PAC (Issue 8) against the proposed rezoning of Newell Creek in 2003. I also served on parent committee to keep Center Street School open in 2004.

Candidate Statement: As a member of the Mentor City Council, it has been an honor to serve the residents of Ward 2. I am excited to be seeking re-election.

I have not and will not waiver in my passion or commitment to the residents of Ward 2. It is where I was raised and have lived for the past 42 years.

It is where my husband and I are choosing to raise our four children. I believe the greatest compliment one can give a community is to choose to raise their family in it.

I have made positive contributions both to Ward 2 and the City and wish to continue to serve the public. The need for an honest, intelligent, experienced, hard-working advocate for all Mentor residents who continually challenges the status quo is far greater today than it was four years ago. I remain deeply committed to being that Councilmember.

With the many current economic challenges and cuts in state funding, Ward 2 needs a Councilwoman with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to get the job done and decisions made with positive results.

With deep roots in Mentor after living in three different Ward 2 neighborhoods, I understand the needs and concerns of the residents, and have worked hard to make a difference. I will continue this commitment to being a strong advocate of the residents while maintaining the highest level of services that our community has come to expect.

Public safety will always be my number one priority. With the continuing economic crisis, the need for accountability and fiscal responsibility on behalf of city council members is greater than ever.

As a wife and mother I am keenly aware and sensitive to the challenges facing our families, our City and our pocketbooks. I will continue to be proactive and make decisions based on sound analysis, solid research and what is in the best interests of the people of Ward 2 and the City as a whole.

I will continue to lead the effort to expose and eliminate wasteful spending of our taxpayer dollars. We as elected officials must be fiscally disciplined and conservative. I will continue to work closely with the Administration to balance the budget line by line without any new taxes.

I remain committed to ensuring a healthy unencumbered balance and in turn a high and very favorable bond rating. It is proactive steps such as these that allows our City to move forward positively and responsibly on important and necessary Capital Improvements such as the upcoming Plaza Boulevard Extension.

I advocated for a comprehensive road repair program that was long overdue and look forward to moving this program forward into the future - benefiting residents and neighborhoods throughout the entire city.

I will continue to maintain the charm, integrity and property values of residential neighborhoods for our families by upholding residential zoning. We now have a new and updated Comprehensive Plan.

As an elected official, I have demonstrated my commitment to keeping Mentor rated as one of the best places to work, live and raise a family. Ward 2 is very diverse and the continued preservation and revitalization of every neighborhood is critical.

During this time of budget cuts, maintaining the quality of life in our neighborhoods must remain a top priority and it will with me. I voted against the raising permit fees so that residents might still be able to afford the necessary and routine maintenance repairs to their homes.

As Chairman of the Open-Space Committee, I lead the initiative to rezone our City parks from residential to C-1 Conservation in order to further protect the ecologically sensitive areas throughout Mentor. I kept my campaign promise and voted to keep gas-oil wells out of our many public parks.

I will stand firm in my commitment to be the constant voice and vote of support to protect green space thus protecting Mentor’s quality of life, recreation programming and property values. I also want for the City to continue subsidizing curbside recycling and yard waste removal. It is right to protect our community for future generations.

Recognizing that the strength of our economy is one of our greatest assets, I understand and will continue the important task of continually working with the Council and Administration to help develop economic incentives and programs that will attract and retain businesses by assisting them with those items that hinder job growth.

I have placed my knowledge with my years of experience as a Citizen’s advocate to good use on Mentor City Council supporting quality of life issues and incentives for businesses including the Mentor Incentive Grant and TIF programs as well as the recent adoption of the CRA in the Old Village.

I will continue to reach out and meet with local businesses both large and small to see how Council together with Administration can best meet their needs and concerns in order to maintain a healthy local economy.

I have developed a solid record that speaks for itself. Living in Mentor for 42 years, in three different Ward 2 neighborhoods, uniquely qualifies me to continue the important work and responsibilities on Mentor City Council. I will remain an independent voice - always representing the best interests of all Mentor residents and never special interests. I have repeatedly demonstrated this, never hesitant to ask the tough questions.

Ward 2 residents have the full reassurance that I always have their best interests at heart with me serving as their elected representative. I have prided myself in being an independent thinker, willing to make strong stands on issues just as I did when searching for a professionally trained City Manager to lead our City.

I have upheld my pledge to be approachable, responsive and vote to reflect the will of the people. I am here to listen and help advocate for common sense solutions that work. I enjoy getting things done in a timely, professional manner and am only a mere phone call away. I strive every day to be a dedicated public servant.

It is the least I can do for the community I am very blessed and proud to call home.


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