Those who should, but won't

The Independent reported last month that Massillon Mayor Frank Cicchinelli is contemplating whether or not he should run for a seventh term as mayor. Allegedly, he is supposed to announce his decision some time this month. The Massillon Review is examining the contenders and pretenders to succeed Massillon's long serving "Mayor for Life" should he decide to step aside. We have divided the group into two categories, those who shouldn't run, but will, and those who should run, but won't. We have recently examined a couple of candidates who shouldn't run, Council President Glenn Gamber, and Ward 5 council representative Donnie Peters.

Our story on Peters;
www.massillonreview.blogspot.com/2010/06/men-who-would-be-king.html

Our story on Gamber;
www.massillonreview.blogspot.com/2010/06/on-deck.html

Today we examine two people who should run, but won't. We look at two public servants, one Republican, and one Democrat who have the background, skills, and competency to successfully lead our city. The Republican is respected by Democrats and could draw bi-partisan support, and the Democrat is respected by Republicans, and could draw bi-partisan support. They have served in public office with distinction and both would bring maturity, common sense, and an ability to work with others to do what is best for the community.

Richard Kettler, retired Massillon Judge
Rick Kettler served our nation with distinction during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Air Force. He came home to Massillon to practice law, and was elected judge on three occasions, the last two times unopposed. He could have, no doubt, served on a higher court, where his legal knowledge would have served a broader community most admirably, but he chose to stay in his community. "Working with fellow judge Edward Elum and Magistrate Roland Centrone, the respected jurist (Kettler) has restored order and respectability to a bench once plagued by inefficiency and inconsistency" (The Independent, January 11, 2007)


Johnnie Maier, Massillon Clerk of Courts
Johnnie Maier served Ohio with distinction in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was well respected for his common sense, no nonsense approach. He came home to serve Western Stark County as Massillon Clerk of Courts, where he was elected twice with landslide sized margins. He could have, no doubt, served in higher office, and probably would have been elected to congress, where his legislative skills would have served our nation well, but he too chose to stay in his community. "His (Maier) fiscal responsibility has proven to not only serve the office of Clerk of Court, but the entire city" (The Independent, 11/01/2005).

These two public servants are exactly the kind of candidates Massillon needs as mayor. No, they won't run. Kettler is retired and serves as a visiting judge, and Maier is serving as Clerk of Courts, and living on his farm in Tuscarawas Township. Maier is just outside the city limits now, but we could always annex him back into the city.

We need serious people to be serious candidates. We need a mayor who will work with others to do what is best for the city, who will bring people together, not drive them apart. These two individuals are two people who should be running, but won't.