Zoey Kuspa becomes city’s youngest council president
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE – Residents re-elected the five City Council incumbents seeking another term, along with two newcomers, and renewed a street improvement millage by a strong 80 percent margin.
The City Council winners are newcomers Zoey Kuspa (3,119) and Christian Graziani (2,638), and incumbents Bill Colovos (2,626), Mark Farrah (2,595), Karen George (2,510), Phillip Rauch (2,507), and Dale Zamecki (2,302).
Kuspa, who received the most votes, becomes council president.
She said she is pleased and humbled by the election results.
“Receiving the most votes and becoming the youngest council president in Southgate history is very touching, and I am so thankful for the community’s trust in me,” said Kuspa, 22. “A multi-generational city council will definitely help our community as we begin to learn from each other and continue to move Southgate forward and make it the best it can be.”
Graziani said he was grateful that residents were receptive to his candidacy, and looks forward to bringing his skill set to city hall and serving the community.
“I will promote transparency,” he said. “This promise runs with being accessible and honest, along with being honest about what others are doing and trying to do at city hall.”
Graziani said he is also receptive to rezoning under-utilized commercial areas in an effort to bring respectable developers into the city.
George said she is looking forward to serving with the two new, young council members.
“I look forward to hearing their ideas for moving the city forward, and working with them,” she said. “It is going to be an interesting four years.”
Colovos said that he, too, looks forward to working with the newly elected council members.
“I plan on working to provide the residents with the best possible city services, and a safe community to live and raise their families in,” he said.
Challengers Priscilla Ayers-Reiss (2,259) and Gregory Kowalsky (2,053) were not elected to the council.
Ayres-Reiss said at the Nov. 3 City Council meeting that she plans to remain actively involved in the city.
“I am still going to be a part of everything,” she said. “It was a great race, and I’m not done. This is only the beginning, and you are just starting to hear from me, so, I look forward to working with you all.”
Council President John Graziani did not run for re-election, while Councilman Christopher Rollet ran unopposed for city treasurer, a position currently held by Jim Dallos, who did not seek re-election.
Also running unopposed were incumbents Mayor Joseph Kuspa and City Clerk Janice Ferencz.
The 2-mill street improvement levy, which covers city streets for the next five years, will generate an estimated $1.45 million its first year, at an effective rate of 1.9268 mills.
At the Nov. 3 council meeting, the mayor thanked residents for their overwhelming support of the road millage renewal.
“This measure passed by a four-to-one margin, and will assist the city in maintaining our local road system,” he said. “I truly appreciate the confidence our voters continue to place in my administration, and their understanding of the value of reinvesting in our infrastructure.”