MANSFIELD, OH--Councilman At Large, Don Bryant, extended his support for the Student Achievement Leadership Training Summer Program, a program sponsored by Mansfield UMADOP.
 
The Student Achievement Leadership Training Summer Program or SALT for short; seeks to provide work readiness, career planning, work experience and leadership skills for youth who reside in Mansfield. Eligible participants are between the ages of 16-19 years old at the start of the program.
 
According to organizers Issac David and Todd Hoovler, the program will accommodate 10 students and will last 8 weeks.

​The group will be operating on a four day class week with field trips, team building as well as guest speakers, and presentations. Participants will work on projects approximately 16-20 hours a week, and will work with various community partners, providing labor and skill development. An overarching goal of the program is to ensure that the participants have the skills and understand the employment process as well as job retention, increased school attendance, as well as establish and reinforce positive social behaviors.
 
“I have always been a supporter of the summer job corps program that we once had in Mansfield. Although this is not only about summer work for our youth, it is a step forward on youth policy for Mansfield, said Councilman Bryant.

​“It is my hope that the city will once again reinstate the job corps program and extend the opportunity to 50-100 youths in Mansfield. But, that is my long-term goal. In the meantime, a program such as SALT, would benefit the community overall by providing the opportunity for young people to not only focus on important projects, but to also learn from mentors and gain exposure to a variety of work environments.”
 
Todd Hoovler said the majority of the program is funded by UMADOP, and they are also seeking funding from the Richland County Foundation.  

Mansfield City Council President, Phil Scott, has designated Councilman Bryant to represent City Council in addressing building security for city hall, also known as the Mansfield Municipal Building.
 
Building safety is at the the forefront of city business after Local Union president Dan Mapes of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, brought concerns to a city council meeting in March.
 
“What are we doing to ensure the safety of the building,” asked Mapes.  
 
“We are just letting anyone walk into the building and I have reports of someone walking around the building with an iron rod. Allowing people to have free-range around the building is not safe for the employees of the city.”
 
As a response, Councilman Bryant scheduled a series of meetings with the mayor’s office to discuss possible measures that can be taken to secure the building.
 
Bryant provided an update to council at the last city council meeting on April 19th. The full statement is attached below. 

Dear Neighbors:
 
       2016 has proven to be a very busy, but productive year thus far. I am pleased with the increased amount of activities and events developing throughout our community. Your local government, I am pleased to say, has been very progressive in its support of the citizens. Although things have not all been cohesive; we are moving forward.   

    City Council has approved several pieces of legislation that have been applauded by many. These items include:

• 16-031  Enacting Ch 767, Donation Boxes to establish regulations & license requirements
• 16-040 Approval of the final annual budget for fiscal year 2016
• 16-55  Grant license for development of a new log cabin for South Park

 
    Although we did pass our final budget, Finance Director Linn Steward cautioned City Council and the Administration that we need to spend within our budget and that unnecessary spending should be reduced. If the city fails to do so, we may face financial consequences down the road.
 
     Also and during the last council session; we heard from a group of local organizers who are interested in changing the one-way streets downtown to a two-way street system. The organizers included local business owners and some members of local government.
 
    Being that I am an At-Large Councilmember, my duty is to represent the entire City of Mansfield. During this presentation, I pointed out the necessity for local organizers and developers to include more perspectives into their work. Without the inclusion of more women, African-American, Greek-American, and other minority business experts into our studies, research, designs, developments, etc.; we put ourselves at a disadvantage.
 
     But, Mansfield is a beautiful city full of potential and there are a number of opportunities developing. I am proud to serve as your City Council representative. I am also proud to include those who live outside of Mansfield by showing them the many gems of our city. Just last week, I took a few teachers from Wooster, on a tour to explore the arts around Mansfield. We explored the murals at the Bike Trail, the beautiful landscapes downtown and introduced them to the idea of joining the organizations around town dedicated to the arts.
 
    Many of my friends and neighbors around town are artists. I am a strong supporter of their work and efforts. There are so many Mansfielders participating in our vibrant arts community. And because of this great interest and in the months ahead, I am bringing together with the help of my colleagues and many of you, a Mansfield Commission of the Arts.
 
   It is through the creation of this commission that your local government will have an improved opportunity to apply for grants and funding for the purpose of budgeting and dedicating more of a commitment to the growth of our local arts community.
 
    It is my pleasure to work with all of you in securing the best opportunities for our great city. You are always welcomed to call me, send me a note through social media or speak at a City Council session.

                                 Let's continue Moving Opportunity Forward together. 

City Councilman At-Large, Don Bryant, will join Mansfield Mayor, Tim Theaker at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Circle K, located at 30 East Cook Rd in Mansfield on Tuesday March 15th, 11:00 AM. 

Bryant released his statement on the grand opening saying, 

"This Circle K location serves many of the 6th and 1st ward residents and I am happy to see this business grow here in Mansfield." 

The event is open to the public. All are welcome. 

Councilman Bryant's interview with Moms Clean Air Force on the effects of air pollution; was featured in several key states and included New York, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida and Ohio. Bryant who has asthma, is working to strengthen a partnership with the White House on the initiative to improve air quality.
 
Although the U.S. Supreme Court recently put a hold on White House efforts to regulate certain emissions; Bryant says this is not an issue that people can afford to give up.
 
“With this being an election year and Congressional approval ratings at an all-time low; there’s not going to be a fast-track toward lowering emissions. It’s something that we’re going to have to work on in partnership with both the current and hopefully, with the next presidential administration. But, we can’t put this off either. We have to move forward on important environmental issues, such as air quality.”
 
On the effects of air pollution, Bryant told reporters,
 
“I cannot help but to think about the children in Mansfield who have asthma and other respiratory concerns. There are many children in our country and throughout Ohio who cannot afford a rescue inhaler. Without an inhaler and in the event that a child or adult has an asthma flair-up or attack, it can become a life threatening situation.”
 
Bryant has been in partnership with several organizations focused on improving air quality and has met with members of Moms Clean Air Force, Sierra Club, the Ohio Environmental Council and the Blue Green Alliance.
 
“These organizations represent millions of Americans who are concerned about the levels of pollution in their air and water.”
 
Bryant said he was first contacted by City of Mansfield Charter Commission chairman, David Scott and Moms Clean Air Force organizer, Laura Burns.
 
“David called me in June 2015 and asked if I’d be interested in meeting with environmental advocates to discuss issues on air quality. I was more than happy to do the meetings because of my own experiences in having asthma.”
 
“There was a time when I didn’t have health insurance and couldn’t afford a rescue inhaler. During asthma attacks, I tried countless home remedies to avoid going to the emergency room. At one point I almost lost my life from one of these attacks. Now that I’m older and in a position to take a stance that matters; it’s important that I join the fight against unnecessary pollution to our environment.”
 
What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease of the lungs and the air tubes leading to them. It causes the walls of the bronchioles, the tiny airways in the lungs, to swell and produce mucus so that the sufferer has difficulty in breathing.The bands of muscle around the outside of the bronchioles also tighten, adding to the blockage of air. The bronchioles of many people who have asthma are more sensitive than normal to one or more triggers, ranging from environmental pollutants, dust mites, and animal fur, to variety of other items.
 
More information on asthma, including treatment information, can be found by visiting the American Lung Association website http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/ and by contacting your local physician.
 
For more information on air quality and to speak with a local organizer with Moms Clean Air Force visit: http://www.momscleanairforce.org/author/lauramichelleburns/

Streets & Traffic Committee is chaired by Councilman Butch Jefferson, with Councilman Bryant serving as Vice-Chairman. Much of the work on our streets re-pavement program, city infrastructure repairs and construction projects, could not have been done without the expertise of our City Engineering Department and the hard work of all of our city employees at the City Services Complex. ​

Much thanks to Manager J.R. Rice and his staff for all of your hard work. The Building and Codes Department is a much valued organization within our city government. 

On Tuesday, November 3rd, I was officially elected to the Office of Mansfield City Council At-Large. No longer am I filling anyone's seat and I want to thank everyone who came out to vote for me and for staying involved in the electoral process.

As an At-Large Councilman, I have the privilege to represent the entire City of Mansfield. In this position it is important to have someone who can communicate to a broad audience and someone who has the experience necessary to help Mansfield move forward.

I believe it’s past time we get the 21st Century results we deserve. This means working together can no longer be an option, it’s something that MUST be done.

I will continue to utilize my position to increase opportunities for working families and individuals and will expand my support for the elderly and for our Veterans. Moreover, it is important we protect our neighborhoods from blight and from crime. We also have to support programs that provide our youth with meaningful activities, those which will add to the growth of our great city.

Everyday thousands of Mansfielders face the realities of experiencing and living in a cycle of poverty. Although there are no easy solutions for this overarching problem; there are actions we as a city can take together, to combat poverty among the working poor. I've heard you loud and clear, that people are tired of living paycheck to paycheck. And for far too long, there has been an unspeakable sense of neglect that has plagued our city, a sense that people don’t care about other people.

But I am someone who cares, and I will not leave you alone in the middle of the storm. Know that since the first day I stepped foot in office, you had a partner in government.  Know that today, you have a partner and friend in government. If there is a will and if it’s dedicated to increasing achievement and to the overall advancement of our city, then there is a way forward.

May God continue to bless and show favor for City of Mansfield, Ohio.  


Don ​

Dear Neighbor, 

Attached is the Popular Annual Financial Report for the City of Mansfield released by Finance Director Linn Steward. 

For questions contact:
 

Linn Steward, CPA
Finance Director
City of Mansfield
30 North Diamond Street 7th Floor
Mansfield, Oh 44902
419-755-9781
lsteward@ci.mansfield.oh.us