The News-Herald Date questionnaire completed: 10-2-2013

Election Questionnaire Office sought: Council at Large Richmond Heights Ohio

Political party: Republican Name: Donald OToole Age: 59 Date of birth: 5/2/1954 Place of birth: Cincinnati Ohio Home address: 4895 Foxwynde Trail, Richmond Heights Ohio 44143 Length of residence in that community: 28 years Occupation: Small Business Owner Employer: Signs PDQ Inc. Business address: 35160 Topps Industrial Pkwy #5 Willoughby Ohio 44094 Elected office experience: City Councilman @ Large for 20.5 years in Richmond Heights Non-elected office experience (boards, etc.): None Applicable

Education (Please only list schools youve graduated from and list degrees if applicable): John Carroll University MBA General Management Ohio Wesleyan University BA Psychology and Economics Westlake High School: College Prep

Marital status: Married 33 years

Name of spouse: Brenda L. OToole

Name and age of any children: Brian M. OToole: Policeman Fairport Harbor Ohio 28 years old Erin OToole: School Teacher Richmond Heights Elementary 31 years old

Sould you be elected, what are three specific areas youd like to change, address, improve or further research, and how specifically would you go about it?: 1: Prudently reinstate some portion of the departments that were cut during the last 2 budget years. With approximately 75% of the $1,000,000 replaced via a tax levy passed in 2013, we can begin to replace some of cuts made and restore those departments to a higher level. Police and Recreation are the first 2 departments that we will address in the 2014 budget discussions. 2. Economic development is one of the areas that we were not able to invest in with our recent budget constraints. We need to have an economic development person that is not part of our current staff. We all act as economic development people but we need someone who does it full time and looks for the bug projects that might go at the airport or on the county property by the airport. The ROI on that type of investment could be huge if we land a big company. Or a string of

smaller businesses could add up to big dollars. This will require a budgetary commitment of $50 to $100K. 3. Re-instate some type of Road program to take care of the streets that have been neglected over the last 3 years. This will all be incorporated into a 2014 budget.

Whether for past accomplishments or future goals, why should voters elect you?
I have been on council for 20 years and the first 16 years the course was pretty steady and most things moved forward. The last 4 years were a bit rocky and we were challenged to provide adequate services, balance a budget and make provision for the future. We were able to get an increase in revenue from a tax increase to replace about 75% of the monies that were lost due to various issues stated above. I want to be around for the next 4 years to prudently reinstate some of the cuts that were made while maintaining a strong balance sheet. My years of being around during the good times and persevering through the last 4 years of uncertainty will be helpful in improving Richmond Heights' desirability as a community that one would want to raise a family, grow or move a business to, or retire to. The council position is not about a stepping stone, or self-promotion, It is about working with others to make Richmond Heights a great community. We have too many people in politics today who, are not in the race for the right reasons. I have no further ambition in politicsI am only here to serve the city of Richmond Heights and to help manage the future direction of our city. We have experienced a change in tone in our council ever the last few years. I will continue to be a steadying influence on the demeanor and temperament of the council. Frankie Borally, one of our former businesses nick named me the voice of reason about 8 years ago and the more I thought about it that is a good description of how I view myself on council. Always open minded, willing to compromise but never willing to compromise my principles. Richmond Heights has been a great place for my family to grow up and I hope I can have 1 more term to keep or city The City with the Forward

NOTE TO CANDIDATES: Please be aware that this questionnaire will be published