Plybon believes experience will translate to mayor

Matt Plybon is new to government and said there will be a learning curve if he becomes Orrville’s next mayor. That said, the 55-year-old Orrville native doesn’t come without experience.

Plybon pointed to his career as an educator, more than two decades of which were spent as a principal before he retired last June after 32 years. Plybon was a middle school principal when he stepped down.

“I hope to match up my years in education administration to the city’s government,” said Plybon, who announced his candidacy last July. He will run against Darrell Mosley II in the May 2 primary with the winner likely to run opposed in the general election in November.

While Mosley has been part of Orrville’s city government as a councilman for the past four years, Plybon said not to undersell his own experience. In addition to Plybon calling it a rewarding career, he said being a principal in a large school in a large district has a sort of combat training aspect to it, one that would serve anyone well in other positions.

“A middle school with 1,400 kids was every minute,” he said. “I have those skills to bring to the job. I’ve got the three Rs: respect all citizens’ views, relationships — building relationships within the city, the county, within the state and the national level — and resources, strengthening and growing our resources, the power plant, our library, our schools. I always think of Massillon as a bigger Orrville. Orrville is set up for success.”

Plybon said among the things the new mayor will have to deal with are citizens’ needs in the ever-changing inflationary world. He said the major must focus on citizens’ needs vs. their wants.

After that is the question of city finances and things like the way income taxes are collected, especially among remote workers.

“As a building principal, I was always involved with budgeting,” Plybon said. “You only had so much money to spend. Right now we’re pretty good for the next three to five years. I would want to stress that to the next 10 and beyond.”

Plybon also pointed to the fire department as an area of concern, pointing out many local municipalities have been struggling in that area.

“I’d like to see us move from volunteer to full-time,” he said. “I would really need to look for funding for that — and always for ways to protect and serve our police officers. You have to think about their families.”

Plybon commended outgoing Mayor Dave Handwerk for his four-term performance.

“I called him and said, ‘I wouldn’t run against you,’” Plybon said. “He’s left the city in excellent shape. We have great department heads. I’ve had a chance to talk to him many times. I asked him what his greatest accomplishment was. He didn’t really answer. He just said he liked helping people. He’s really set the city up for success. I would want to continue that.”

Plybon said in the event Mosley is the one to advance to the general election, he will still do what he can to pitch in and help.

“I’m at an age where I’ll be grateful that I live in the greatest city,” he said. “I will support Mr. Mosley. The one good thing about this whole race is it’s as American as it gets. You have two candidates running for a small town which both of them love. It’s a win-win for Orrville.”