Adena council candidates share priorities ahead of election

RJ Konkoleski

Why should residents of Adena vote for you?

"I care about our town, Adena. I care about its history and it's future, and those two things are together what can make our community a better place. I have written several successful grants for the village and plan to continue to write more. My goal is to make Adena the vibrant community it once was by supporting our exising small businesses and attracting more new ones. We have a great potential for visitors through historic tourism and our recreational trail, which will be under construction in 2026."

Share about your experience as a current council member?

"My current experiences on council have been great. We have an amazing fiscal officer, Denise Geanangel, and a solicitor, Adam Martello, and Chief of Police, Casey Robinson, that have my complete confidence. They are simply the best around. Our street and water department workers are very dedicated. The mayor and other council members function as whole to move our community ahead. At times we disagree, but we talk things through and always come to an agreement that is good for the town. We are moving in a good direction and we would not be so successful if we didn't have these kind of individuals who really care as elected officials."

What issues facing Adena are you most concerned about?

"I'm most concerned about the future of our village. We need to attract new residents to keep the village alive. Projects like our downtown restoration and recreational trail will help. We have nearly everything you need. We have great parks and ballfields. We have restaurants and bars, a post office, a gas station, a bank, a library, churches, and a good school. We have strong civic organizations like the Lions, the American Legion, and the Women's Club. But we really need a grocery store to be a walkable, self sufficient community. We are working on a way to attract one to town, that's my primary concern."

What sets you apart from other candidates?

I'm not sure that it's best to focus on what sets one apart, but rather what brings us together. I think a true love for and a desire to improve Adena is what all the candidates have, and it's what we need to keep building a better village together as a municipal government."

What do you hope to accomplish if re-elected?

"Adena has a very positive momentum right now. I want to do all I can to keep that going. My plans would be to protect what we have and to build on it by attracting new business and residents. We have a lot of infrastructure needs. I want to help the village obtain funds to make more improvements. There's plenty of work to be done, but even so, Adena is a great place to call home."

Alex Donley

Why should residents of Adena vote for you? 

"I’ve lived in Adena majority of my life, I have a local small business who is always trying to give back to the community, and I’m passionate about the community my small children will grow up in."

Share some of your life experience that qualifies you to be on village council.

"I’m a local veteran with forward thinking, hoping for a better tomorrow."

What issues facing Adena are you most concerned about?

"I think the mayor and current council members have done a phenomenal job and I look forward to working beside them, I simply want to put my effort, time and love back into the community." 

What sets you apart from other candidates?

"I’m an active member in my community and I’m an executive officer of the Adena American Legion Post 525."

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

"I’d like to focus on roadways and drainage and I’d also like to get funding/grants for our local park and make it something to be proud of."

Justin Dudzik

Why should residents of Adena vote for you?

"I think I can do good for the community. I got some good ideas, I’m not sharing them right now, but once I get in there I will. I love Adena. It’s a small town and everyone knows each other and looks out for each other." 

Share some of your life experience that qualifies you to be on village council.

"Everybody knows me. I was involved in the village government before. I ran for mayor when I was 22 and I won. I was in there for a year and a half. I kind of jumped right in there. I had some good ideas then but I got in there and realized there wasn’t a lot of money and all these towns compete for grant money."

What issues facing Adena are you most concerned about?

"One thing I’d like to see is a new community center being built. There’s no community center and we need one. We had one, it was the old school behind the legion but it was condemned a few years ago and they tore it down. When I was younger they used to have stuff for the kids on the weekends: wiffle ball, air hockey, basketball. I’d like to see that again. Not just for the kids but the elderly, and anyone can use it. There’s a lot of potential.

"I’d like to try to see what’s out there, see if there are grants, and cut through the red tape."

What sets you apart from other candidates?

"I knew there were a few seats open and I didn’t know how many people were going to run or if there were any who weren’t going to take it so I figured I could help out. I don’t think I’m different from any other candidate. I think we all want what’s in the best interest of the village. Everybody has different ideas but we all want the same thing."

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

My main thing is the community center. I don’t see why there’s any reason we can’t do it. It’s definitely going be tough but I don’t see why we can’t get help from the federal government and the state. I think that’s what the community needs."