Local Voters in Portage County Highlight Concerns

Citizens in Ravenna and Franklin Township are struggling due to high inflation rates. 

“My husband and I have four boys, some of whom are early teenagers, so our food bill is a little out of control right now,” said Nichole Catalano-Miller, a certified health and wellness coach living in Franklin Township. 

Increasing gas prices are affecting where people go and how often they leave their homes. 

Unleaded regular gas prices have increased by 25.8% from August 2021 to August 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. 

“Gas prices are really expensive, so we just go to doctor’s appointments, and that’s it,” said Dianne Smith, a resident of Ravenna. 

Citizens are searching for ways to save money on gas.

“I do go around and see where I can find the cheapest gas,” said Judy Demshar, a retired citizen of Ravenna. “Costco has become my friend.”

Citizens aren’t the only people affected by inflation. Business owners have had to adjust prices to accommodate for inflation. 

Automotive parts are harder to get and more expensive, causing an increase in repair costs, said Matt Gilbert, the owner of DAP Repair Ohio in Franklin Township. 

The cost of motor vehicle parts and equipment has increased by 13.4% from August 2021 to August 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Motor vehicle maintenance and repair prices have risen by 9.1% during this one-year period.

Businesses are having trouble finding employees. Ravenna is painted with “now hiring” signs. 

“A lot of places are hiring,” Smith said. “But kids nowadays don’t want to work.” 

There are many empty buildings where businesses used to be. Looking through the windows past the “for lease” and “for sale” signs, the buildings are empty and dusty. 

“There are always new businesses popping up, but they don’t stick around long,” said Dylan Nicolino, the owner of 2illxcuts, a barbershop in Ravenna. “There was a boutique that popped up, and it was gone within a couple of months.”

In front of these empty buildings, cars jump up and down on the potholes that layer Ravenna’s roads. 

“I re-route my route coming home because the roads are horrible,”  said Sarah Jones, a retired resident of Ravenna.

Residents of Ravenna are frustrated with how the city is using the tax dollars it allocates to repair roads. 

“They don’t fix where it needs to be fixed,” Smith said. “They’re just digging up everywhere else.”

Taxpayers have doubts as to whether the money is going toward helping citizens. 

“I think we’d have to ask our representatives where they’re putting our money,” said Colleen Catalano, a retired resident of Franklin Township. “I think it goes into a lot of politicians’ pocketbooks.”

Knowing where tax dollars are being spent, getting Roe v. Wade reestablished and making schools safer are motivating factors to vote, Catalano-Miller said. 

Other citizens are not influenced to vote by any issues because of their doubts regarding election integrity. 

“Everybody’s cheating, so it doesn’t matter,” Smith said. “Your vote doesn’t count anyways.”