Mayor's race: Kathy Catazaro-Perry, Jamie Slutz talk issues, vision for Massillon

MASSILLON – The two candidates running for the city's highest office are making their pitch to voters as early voting approaches next week.

Incumbent Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, a Democrat, is being challenged by city Councilman Jamie Slutz, R-at large, in this fall's mayoral race as they seek the four-year position.

Early voting starts Oct. 11 in Ohio, and Election Day is Nov. 7.

The mayor manages a budget of $58 million and oversees 260 full-time employees. The total includes all city departments and Massillon Municipal Court workers.

Jamie Slutz wants to improve Reservoir Park, police retention if elected mayor

Slutz said he's been hitting the campaign trail hard around Massillon almost daily to share his positions and has received a high volume of upbeat responses from voters.

"I've been on-the-go about every day, feeling the support and meeting with kind people," he said. "It's always been a goal of mine to be mayor (since age 21), and I think we can do a better job."

Talking shop: Mayor hopefuls Catazaro-Perry, Slutz competing in Oct. 5 debate at Lions Lincoln Theatre

Specifically, Slutz said he wants to restore the waterway at Reservoir Park to a full pond or something on par with that.

In 2017, Massillon complied with an state order to reduce the water level in the reservoir by 4 feet as a safety measure. Three levels of sandstone block were ripped out from the park's dam — forming a spillway — to allow water to flow more efficiently, decreasing the chances of a structure failure due to extreme rainfall and flooding.

Still, more should be done to improve aesthetics and personal enjoyment, Slutz said.

Rezzy redo: Massillon Parks & Rec considers pond upstream from spillway at Reservoir Park

"It looks horrible and is an eyesore," Slutz said of what locals refer to as "the Rezzy." Whether we can put a pond there or something close, it should be more of a place where people can go."

As a result of the perceived deficiency, Slutz said, many Massillonians drive to Jackson Township parks for exercise or socialization.

"A big part of the problem is appearance and losing focus on what's important to (Massillon) residents," he added.

Slutz is a 1989 graduate of Washington High School. He played quarterback for the Tigers football team during his senior year. He also is a retired Massillon police officer and detective who served 22 years with the Police Department.

In December 2020, Slutz was tapped by the Stark County GOP to replace former Councilwoman Nancy Halter, R-at large, who had resigned. He won his first election bid as an at-large councilman in November 2021.

If elected mayor in November, Slutz said, he wants to help increase the pay and benefits of city police officers to better retain personnel, as well as beef up the city's animal control efforts.

In addition, Slutz mentioned that he has a team in mind to takeover key city positions, such as safety-service director and economic development director, if he's successful in next month's election.

"I have qualified people to step in who have good experience and backgrounds," he said.

Kathy Catazaro-Perry touts steady finances, carryover fund, sidewalk upgrades in voter pitch

Catazaro-Perry is seeking her fourth term as mayor. She is also a former Ward 3 city councilwoman.

While campaigning for re-election, Catazaro-Perry said, she's received favorable vibes from city voters and is feeling upbeat about her candidacy.

"There's lots of positivity out there, and people are sharing their views," she said.

The mayor said under her watch, Massillon has seen success in fiscal stability, continuous road resurfacing and catch basin upgrades, as well as neighborhood improvements and cleanup. New technology for safety forces, in addition to a vehicle rotation plan have also been implemented.

"Vehicle rotation was not even a word when I came in (12 years ago)," said Catazaro-Perry, noting that the city started with a more than $5 million carryover to begin this year.

Since being re-elected in November 2019, the city has sold the former Affinity Medical Center building, which it had maintained for multiple years after the facility had closed, said Catazaro-Perry, adding that a new city Health Department opened earlier this year.

Major sale: Former Affinity hospital building sells again. What next for the site?

Looking ahead, Catazaro-Perry said she wants to improve on and expand the city's sidewalk program, which over the past three years has generated more than $600,000 in improvements.

"We want people to continue to improve their homes. This program is working, and people are using it," the mayor said.

Similar to Slutz, the mayor said she's favors upgrading Reservoir Park to include a pond. She noted that a two-year effort is in the works and being overseen by the city's Parks & Recreation Department.

Configuring a new walking trail at the park is a likely perk that's coming, Catazaro-Perry said.

"I do support a pond (at Reservoir Park). You may see something new in the near future," she said.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

Massillon mayoral debate

Massillon Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, a Democrat, and city Councilman Jamie Slutz, a Republican, are slated to meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Lions Lincoln Theatre, 156 Lincoln Way E, in what is likely to be their sole one-on-one mayoral debate. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the event, which is open to the public and free to attend.

Fred Horner, president and chief executive officer of Massillon-based Advanced Industrial Roofing, and Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula are the scheduled moderators.

The main debate sponsor Advanced Industrial Roofing, while the Massillon WestStark Chamber of Commerce, Massillon Independent and Canton Repository are secondary sponsors.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Incumbent Catazaro-Perry, challenger Slutz compete for Massillon mayor