James “Skip” Sipos emphasizes public safety, services and housing in Medina council bid

James “Skip” Sipos, a longtime executive at the Medina County Housing Authority, is running for Medina City Council at-large and told a candidates forum that his top priorities are public safety, public services and measured economic development.

“I hope my message of public safety, public service, and economic development resonates with the voters,” Sipos said during the forum produced by the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce and Medina TV. He said he has served as executive director of the Housing Authority since 1994 and will retire at the end of the year after 32 years in that role.

Sipos framed affordable housing as an economic development tool, saying workers who can live near their jobs are more likely to become engaged community members. “If that employee can afford to live here and can work in the same community, they become part of the fabric of community,” he said, noting his office is preparing to redevelop an apartment building constructed in 1971.

On public safety, Sipos described a personal near-miss in a crosswalk and said he has discussed possible responses with the city’s police leadership, including increased foot, bike or motorcycle patrols around the Square. “I see council’s role as being as supportive as possible for our safety forces, not just police, but also our fire department,” he said.

Sipos also said the city should address the deer population. “The deer population should be culled. It should be done as safely as possible and in compliance with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources guidance,” he said.

The candidate said he wants to support the city’s five-year planning and the city engineer’s work on infrastructure, and he urged collaborative approaches to sidewalk replacement to help people with mobility impairments navigate the city.

Recycling is a stated interest: Sipos said he wants to “make sure that we're doing all that we can to piece together programs that address recycling.” He listed maintaining public services and recruiting and retaining city staff among other priorities.

Sipos described economic development as “critical,” praising local partnerships among the Chamber, Main Street and the city’s economic development department. He said small-business ribbon cuttings matter because steady small growth adds up: “If I go to 10, that's 50,” he said, referring to employee counts.

Sipos referenced endorsements and campaign supporters while speaking directly to voters: “Mayor Hanwell has endorsed my campaign. So has county commissioner Steve Hamble, [and] state representative Sharon Ray,” he said. The forum hosts reminded viewers that early voting is available at the Board of Elections and that the in-person election day is Nov. 4.

The candidates forum was moderated by Jacqueline Rinkzmeier of the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce and Jared Frey of Medina TV, who identified himself as Medina’s public information officer at the start of the program.

Sipos said he would measure a successful first term by the continuity of the city’s services and its welcoming character: “I want to make sure that we do a great job recruiting new talent, but also retaining the talent that we have,” he said.