Republicans face off for state representative nomination

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by Laura Freeman

Reporter

Hudson -- The March 4 primary race the Republican party nomination for District 42 state representative will be between Richard Nero, 37, of Hudson and Dennis L. Robart Jr., 28, of Cuyahoga Falls.

Hudson resident and City Council President Mike Moran, 43, will run unopposed for the Democratic party nomination.

Nero is an industry consultant for Oracle, a California software and technology company. He graduated from Kent State University in 1993 with a degree in criminal justice and worked at Cleveland State University from 1996 to 1999 in an administrative role for the advancement of services.

Robart, who is the nephew of Falls Mayor Don Robart, is a student advocate at Bolich Middle School and works as a liaison between teachers and students who are at risk with behavior problems. He graduated from Shenandoah University in 2003 with a degree in sports administration and is working on an online master's degree from Grand Canyon University in special education.

Both candidates seek alternative funding for education to reduce the property tax burden on residents. Robart said he would support implementing a sales tax with a growth cap as an alternative to relying on property taxes.

Nero said he would be committed to reducing the cost of education and developing alternative funding at the K-12 level.

The candidates both have ideas for stimulating the state's economy.

Robart said the economy is a fragile thing. He proposed one day without any sales tax, which he suggests would encourage residents to buy.

Robart said companies who leave the state should be charged a closing fee to reeducate employees left behind, however, he added, "No one has a silver bullet answer to create stimulus to turn things around."

Nero said to stimulate the economy, communities in the 42nd District must begin to work together, plan better and identify great opportunities that will benefit everyone.

Nero said processes, permits and ordinances for bringing businesses to Ohio must be simplified and communication with current businesses improved to keep them in Ohio.

"We must reduce some of these harmful processes and time delays so that we can bring high-quality jobs to our District and diversify our tax base to keep residential taxes low," Nero said.

All 99 state representatives are elected during even-numbered years and can serve four consecutive two-year terms.

Incumbent John Widowfield (R-Cuyahoga Falls) did not file for the 42nd district seat and instead filed for a seat on the Summit County Council.

E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150