Annelise Kostyo candidate for University Heights City Council

Annelise Kostyo

ANNELISE KOSTYO

University Heights     Age: 29

Email: akostyo14@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KostyoforCouncil/

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:

Education: John Carroll University Masters of Arts - Nonprofit Business Administration and Management, John Carroll University Bachelors of Arts - College of Arts and Science, History

Occupation: Keller Williams Greater Cleveland - Realtor

Qualifications: Resident and registered voter of University Heights

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES:

1. Unique qualities: I am seeking to serve my neighbors and the residents of University Heights. I want to work with City Council members to make the city of beautiful homes run efficiently, listen to the voices of my fellow neighbors, and continue to sustain the community for years to come. I bring to the table my ability to listen and communicate workable solutions for University Heights. I am able to work as part of a team with the other members of City Council and city department heads, to represent and make decisions that are in the best interest of the city as a whole.

2. Top issues: 1. Superior City Services- I would support Police and Fire for continued excellent service, training, and programs for residents. I would also work towards city maintenance of roads, public spaces, and public buildings. 2. Neighborhood Integrity- I would collaborate with city directors to develop solutions for abandoned/vacant homes, absentee landlords, and to continue the rise of property values. I would also work with council, city officers, and residents to develop meaningful and accessible community programming.3. Economic Engagement- I would create a mutual working relationship with the city’s largest employers and retailers to build a working tax base for city programs and projects.

3. Community concerns: I would seek to address community concers by collaborating with the other city council members and city directors to come up with a solution that is in the best interest of the city. Neigborhood integrity is very important in sustaining the community and keeping the quality of the city as advanced as possible. I will keep an ear open to my neightbors of University Heights to hear their concerns and seek cost effective solutions to their problems.

4. Financial issues: University Heights is currently financially sustainable, and I am willing to work with other City Council members and residents to come up with creative solutions to budgetary solutions when and if they arise.

5. UH schools: Education is important, relevant, and valued regardless if it is public or private.  The quality of education should be held to high standards as a community.  As a member of City Council I would like to create an open dialogue with the school board to represent the tax payers of University Heights who represent a minority in the current public school system.  Religious private schools should be held in this open dialogue as an important and unique aspect of University Heights that should be valued and understood within the community.  As a City Council keeping this open dialogue between the public and private schools would create a discussion that as a result could ease tax burdens when an opportunity presents itself.