Mayor candidates interviewed

Tiffin City Council hosted a special meeting on Friday, where the council members gathered in the Council Chambers at City Hall to review and interview candidates for city mayor. According to a release from the council, "votes on candidates would be by roll call vote, and Council would vote until a candidate receives a majority of votes, with the lowest voter-getters being dropped out of subsequent voting rounds." Council to host another special meeting at 6 p.m. on July 11 to vote on a candidate. The self-nominated candidates present at the meeting that have shown interest in the position include: Brian Cole, National Sales Manager for OSSTSports USA/JBA Services LLC Dawn Iannantuono, 3rd Ward Councilmember Zack Perkins, At-Large Councilmember Bryce Riggs, Executive Director of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Destination Seneca County In his introductory speech, Cole said, "I really felt like it was time to be a part of the solution and throw my name in the ring," he said. "I've been in leadership roles my whole career between coaching and my job I have now." "I've had the responsibility and the experience," he added. While presenting her introduction, Iannantuono, a lifelong resident of Tiffin, said in summary, "I will be setting in place a framework so Tiffin will continue to succeed." Perkins, City Council's TSEP representative, said his goal as mayor would be to unify the community. "It's not about you as the mayor, it's about the city and it's about the businesses," he said. "Great leaders produce more leaders." Lastly, Riggs, executive director of Seneca County Regional Chamber of Commerce, presented his introduction. Riggs discussed his community involvement such as being a TSEP board member, and various positions held within Seneca County Young Professionals. "My 'why' for running is my love for this community," he said. "I grew up here, I received my education here and I've really grown professionally here." The council members then posed a number of questions to each candidate. Questions included what the candidates describe their leadership styles to be; what the first 100 days of taking office would look like for the candidate; what type of budgeting decisions the candidates have had to make; how they have developed leaders through previous job positions; and what they feel the biggest need within the city is. Perkins and Iannantuono did not pose any questions to candidates. "I want to thank all the candidates for their interest," Tiffin City Council Board President, Bridget Boyle, said. "It's probably the most important decision I'll ever make while I'm on council, like many of us. So thank you for your time this evening, and your interest."