Environmental Voters' Guide
Updated for 2025 Special Election
Introduction to Voters' Guide
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Preserve the Valley compiled the following Environmental Voters’ Guide in 2023 by asking each Akron Mayoral, At-Large and Ward Council candidates four questions as a Voter Service Activity. In 2024, when Sam DeShazior replaced Nancy Holland after her resignation in 2024, we asked him to answer the same questions. And then in 2025, we asked the Ward 1 and Ward 8 City Council Special Election candidates the same questions. Since DeShozier is running for re-election in Ward 1 for the 2025 Special Election, we included his answers with the other 2025 candidates' answers. All answers are linked below.
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Preserve the Valley (PTV) is a volunteer citizen action coalition dedicated to engaging and amplifying citizens’ voices in protecting and planning for the future of the Cuyahoga Valley region. We initially came together in the Fall of 2020 to oppose the City of Akron's request for high-end housing development proposals for the city-owned 45-acres of property above the Cuyahoga Valley known as Theiss Woods. For an overview of the project and environmental and infrastructure costs to the citizens of Akron, please see our Theiss Woods Brief. PTV and our followers were able to persuade the city to seek a sixth proposal which was submitted by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to purchase the land for conservation at the city’s asking price. Read that conservation proposal here.
Candidates’ answers to our environmental questions are especially relevant in light of the findings from a poll of Akron citizens which found 62% reported they favor environmental sustainability over economic value as the focus of new housing development.
Each candidate was contacted using the email they provided to the Summit County Board of Elections, when provided, or otherwise by USPS mail. Four emails were kicked back as invalid. Two candidates were contacted by phone and messages left. The other two of were reached by phone and corrected their email addresses, so we resent the questionnaire. Any candidates who responded to our questionnaire are included below.
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We asked these four questions:
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1. How do you propose to increase citizen engagement in government decision-making? (not to exceed 500 words)
2. What steps do you believe should be taken to balance development with the protection of natural resources and the environment? (not to exceed 500 words)
3. Would you amend the current 15 year property tax abatement program to incentivize redevelopment in the urban core and remove incentives to greenspace development? Yes or No
4. Do you support 100% conservation for the 45 acres of Theiss Woods? Yes or No
Candidates were instructed they could use up to 500 words for the first two questions and that the word count would be strictly adhered to and ONLY the first 500 words will be reproduced and distributed to citizens. They were also told their answers will be reproduced VERBATIM without editing or corrections.
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