FREDERICKTOWN — Five candidates have filed to run for four seats on Fredericktown Village Council in the Nov. 2 general election.
Incumbents Mollie De Rojas, Rick Lanuzza and Ryan Shoemaker will contend with challengers Rita Fenton and James Hobson on Election Day.
De Rojas, 49, was appointed to Fredericktown Village Council in June 2020 and is running for public office for the first time. She currently serves as the labor relations officer for the Ohio Department of Public Safety. She also works as a self-employed mediator and arbitrator, specializing in consumer and workplace disputes.
De Rojas completed her undergraduate studies at Franklin University, studying human resources management. She received mediation training from Capital University Law School.
Fenton, 66, is running for public office for the first time. She has lived in Fredericktown since 1990, having previously spent time in Florida and Georgia. She served in the military and worked in retail before retiring four years ago.
Hobson, 51, served on Fredericktown Village Council from July 2012 to December 2019 and is running for office again. He currently serves as the senior vice president and senior commercial lender for Park National Bank in Mount Vernon.
Lanuzza, 47, was elected to Fredericktown Village Council in 2018 and is running for re-election. He currently serves as the Fredericktown EMS chief. Lanuzza received his paramedic certification from Central Ohio EMS Training and took general education classes at Eastern Kentucky University.
Shoemaker, 37, was elected to Fredericktown Village Council in 2018 and is running for re-election. He currently teaches science at Mount Vernon High School. Shoemaker graduated from Capital University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He graduated from Washington University-St. Louis in 2017 with a master’s degree in biology, then from the American College of Education in 2021 with a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Knox Pages conducted brief interviews with each candidate leading up to the Nov. 2 general election. De Rojas, Fenton, Hobson, Lanuzza and Shoemaker were asked why they chose to run, what they would prioritize if elected (or re-elected), and what they believe sets them apart from the competition.
Here’s what the candidates had to say:
Why are you running for this particular office?
De Rojas: “I am a native of Fredericktown who, after living and working in a metropolitan area for several years, decided that Fredericktown was where I wanted to settle and raise a family. I believe I bring unique experience and perspectives that can benefit Council and the community. I want to be a voice for residents and a driver in the development and beautification of Fredericktown while ensuring that we preserve what makes us unique.”
Fenton: “I started going to the council meetings because I had some issues with different things that I have seen and came across. And every time I went, I didn’t feel there was a lot of transparency in the things that were done. The village residents never knew. As a resident, I never knew about things that were being voted on.
“And every time I brought up something and I thought, ‘We need to take care of this,’ I was told, ‘There’s nothing we can do.’ Not, ‘We’re going to see what we can do,’ it was straight up, ‘There’s nothing we can do.’ And I just felt like that wasn’t an acceptable answer. And unless I try to make the change, I have no right to go home and complain to other people about it.”
Hobson: “I feel like my personal and professional experiences will enable me to make a positive contribution to the Village. My abilities to collaborate and problem solve in particular. My prior tenure with Fredericktown Village Council was something I really enjoyed and found value in my contributions.”
Lanuzza: “I have had a passion to help local government understand public safety forces and to assist the community to get important services that are needed. Critical infrastructure in our community needs to be treated with the utmost importance and preparing for the failure of the system is very important to me. Local government must embrace the change and prepare for the future. Forward thinking is what is making Fredericktown stand out and allowing it to grow in population.”
Shoemaker: “I am running for Fredericktown Village Council because I want to continue working with my fellow council members to shape Fredericktown and provide it with a vision for the future.
“Fredericktown is currently in the process of a once-in-a-generation transformation. Fredericktown’s many past revitalization efforts will come to fruition in 2023 with the completion of our Streetscape Project. Downtown Fredericktown will have newly paved streets, new sidewalks, decorative street lamps, and traffic signals, as well as matching benches, trashcans, and landscaping. Fredericktown is also extremely fortunate to be receiving the downtown splash pad, which will serve as an attraction, enticing people to visit our community and support our local businesses.
“I am a very active member and leader on many of these projects, as well as other up-and-coming ventures still in the pipeline. If re-elected, I would continue my work on these projects alongside my colleagues on council, the mayor, village administrator, community members, business owners, and the Area Development Foundation (ADF), who have all worked very hard to make these projects a reality. I am also running for council to ensure Fredericktown is prepared for growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility and our small-town identity.”
In your opinion, what are the top three issues in your campaign and how, specifically, would you address these issues if elected?
De Rojas: “1. Community engagement: Public participation at council meetings should not be the only way a council connects with residents. The 43019 Magazine developed by the Fredericktown Community Development Foundation is a great new step in connecting the community and sharing happenings and important information – but council must find new ways to engage residents and obtain community input in the strategic direction of the Village.
“Conducting town hall style meetings with targeted topics, providing a more interactive website and social media presence, providing informational fact sheets and comment periods on important projects or proposals, and simply joining residents where they tend to gather are examples of things I would promote and do as a council member.
“2. Infrastructure improvements: Whether the Village of Fredericktown develops or declines depends heavily on how committed and creative Village leadership will be in long term infrastructure improvements, planning and funding. I will ensure there is a continuous 10- year infrastructure plan that is accessible by residents and reevaluated annually. I will also ensure that we remain committed to exploring alternative funding resources, programs and best practices.
“3. Development and beautification efforts: It is important that Council, in collaboration with the Fredericktown Community Development Foundation, Knox Area Development Foundation, and individual community members, continue to be drivers in development and beautification efforts within the Village. I will continue to support programs and improvements that beautify our community, promote our local businesses, and provide walkable streets and reasons to enjoy our downtown. I will also ensure that our small town atmosphere and unique heritage and traditions are always preserved.”
Fenton: “I feel like we need to have more transparency with Council so that everyone knows what is being done before it’s being done. Transparency is one of my top things. … I’ll just be honest. It’s something where, I’d have to say, if I were elected, let’s figure out a way where we can let people know. I’ve noticed, now that I’ve been going to meetings and complaining, there’s a lot more being printed. Obviously, just going and complaining about transparency has made them stop and think about it, too.
“And I know every time I bring up the bike trail (specifically, connecting Fredericktown’s trail to those in Mount Vernon/Bellville), it’s not happening. My husband is a marathon runner. That bike trail would bring so much business to Fredericktown. So giving up on the bike trail is something that I’m never going to do.
“(Connecting the trail) would be great. I just feel like that would bring so much business to our town. People would stop and think about it, we’re just going to have strangers riding through here – and my husband being a runner, I know what business it would help. Do I know how to go about doing it? No, I do not. I’ve gotten ideas from other past candidates – who talked me into doing this – so it’s kind of been just jumping in with both feet. It’s going to be a hands-on learning experience. Even the bike trail, maybe it’s something where I’d go visit other counties and figure out how they did it. But at least I would try.”
Hobson: “The execution and implementation of the Downtown Revitalization Grant Project is a key issue for the Village. Oversight and collaboration between vested stakeholders will need to continue to fully leverage all of the positive aspects to be gained from this project.
“The utilization of our utility infrastructure within the Village is below capacity. It’s necessary to tirelessly work with state, county and local governments to identify and execute on short and long-term strategies to reduce the overhead burden for our residents by increasing the pool of users and lessen the present financial impact caused by low utilization rates.
“Continue to foster the synergies gained by leveraging the development relationships with our local Area Development Foundation and Knox County Chamber of Commerce.”
Lanuzza: “Continue to update critical infrastructure, improved safety forces, continued growth and investment into the Fredericktown community.”
Shoemaker: “1. My number one issue is seeing the Streetscape Project to its successful completion in 2023. I would work toward this goal by continuing to serve as the Steering Committee chairman, ensuring that a committee made up of individuals with a vested interest in the community helps oversee the decision-making and planning process needed to
complete this project. As the Public Works chairman and Zoning Commission member, I will work hard with my colleagues to ensure that our downtown zoning regulations are updated and in place prior to completing the Streetscape project.
“2. In conjunction with the Streetscape project, my next priority is finding sustainable funding sources and strategies to help our downtown businesses with façade improvements. As an Area Development Foundation (ADF) board member, I will continue to work closely with the ADF in this effort. Improving the appearance of our downtown will help attract new residents and businesses, which will benefit both our school district and village.
“3. Lastly, I believe Fredericktown needs to do a better job promoting and marketing itself. The Fredericktown area has a great deal to offer. We have the best schools in the county. We have numerous recreational attractions, such as the fishing and boating opportunities provided by Knox Lake and Kokosing Reservoir and campgrounds. We also have the Kokosing Scenic River and Mill Street Nature Center, and hiking paths. Fredericktown has numerous parks, along with a bike path. Our downtown has various dining options and a future splash pad.
“As a council member, I would like to work more closely with and support the Fredericktown Area Development Foundation (FCDF), which has made tremendous gains in this area through their publication of the 43019 Magazine, along with the various community events they have planned and their fundraising efforts for the splash pad and Streetscape projects.”
Cite two specific differences between you and your opponent(s) that will help voters make their decision in November:
De Rojas: “1. I am a new voice with new energy, drive and perspective.
“2. I am also someone who will actually reach out to, engage with and listen to the ideas and concerns of residents, ensuring they have a voice in the Village’s decisions and strategic plan.”
Fenton: “I think that I believe in transparency and I don’t think a lot of them do. That’d be my main thing. … As a village person, I was amazed at some of the things that had been done, and the people who lived here had no idea. That’s my first goal, so that everyone in this village knows what is being spent before we spend it.”
Hobson: “Over 32 years of banking experience and related financial oversight. Prior Fredericktown Village Council experience and multiple experiences with fiscal board oversight with numerous local professional organizations. Presently serving as Board Chairperson for Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries.”
Lanuzza: “I have spent 17 years, the last seven as a full time public servant in the public sector, serving the needs of the Fredericktown community. I have experience in planning, preparing for and responding to emergencies and critical situations involving the life and safety of our community members. My community involvement goes beyond Fredericktown. I serve as a member of the Mental Health Board for Knox and Licking Counties, serve as a KCH Foundation member, (and) serve on several advisory boards for EMS education.”
Shoemaker: “I think each council member has their own unique skills, talents, and perspectives, which helps us make the best decisions for the residents of Fredericktown. My greatest assets to the council are my decision-making skills and ability to work with others to accomplish goals. My educational training has helped me to make unbiased decisions based on data and reasoning.
“Another difference between myself and a new council member is my level of involvement and knowledge regarding Fredericktown’s current projects. I am currently serving as chairman of the Steering Committee, helping make decisions and recommendations concerning our downtown Streetscape Project. I also serve as chairman of the Public Works Committee. I am a member of the planning commission, as well as the finance, design, and splash pad committees. I also serve as Fredericktown’s representative on the board of directors at the Knox County Area Development Foundation.”
