Voters In Rootstown, Brimfield, Tallmadge

 

As midterm elections become a consistent topic throughout Portage County, a small city and two townships determine what the government could improve in their communities and the issues important to them or the lack there of. Hear from residents and business in Tallmadge, Rootstown, and Brimfield, Ohio. As they discussed politics and opinions before heading to the ballot box.

 

 

Education, employment and community are some of the most important factors in determining what makes a town a desirable place to live. 

 

In Tallmadge, Rootstown and Brimfield many people are interested in these subjects which motivate them to be active voters in the upcoming midterm elections. 

 

Erin Madonio Latina, an owner of an insurance company in Brimfield, emphasizes how important it is to vote in every election.

 

“I don’t necessarily vote on what is good for business. I vote for what is good for the community and the country as a whole,” she says.

 

Madonio Latina is a Kent resident who inherited her father’s business in Brimfield which has been open for over 50 years. 

 

She finds that the town is flourishing as they are creating a lot of new businesses, newer school buildings and a library in the near future. 

 

“I think it is a very affordable place to live with a good school system. Brimfield has a really nice mix of residential and a lot of new businesses,” she says.

 

George Long, a Brimfield resident, also agrees they have a great education system.

 

“I feel that the schools are doing a really great job. I think we could all do better getting kids prepared for what they want to do, like going to college or vocational schools,” he says.

 

Long has been a Brimfield resident his entire life and although many new places are popping up, he feels that his town is losing some of its rural aspect. 

 

“A lot of people want to get out of the city. I don’t agree with how many houses we’re stacking on top of each other here but people want to get out and we are the next in line,” he says.

 

Whereas in Tallmadge, Samantha Bean, a mother and resident of the town felt that in her time there, housing was difficult to find. 

 

Bean mentions housing is more focused on the elderly community and younger families have less options.

 

“We have so many things available for the older community but what about us as a younger family?,” she asks.

Bean also states that having been through the Tallmadge education system herself and sending her son as well, that they have done a better job with giving students more opportunities.

 

“Now there’s more availability and Tallmadge is outsourcing to give those opportunities. My son went to Cuyahoga Falls to go to tech school there and we had some options but not as many that are available,” she says.

 

However, to business owner David Minnix of Minnix Auto Sales, he has found great business in Tallmadge. 

 

His son and himself who run the dealership, were looking for an area with a diverse customer base and found that the area was a perfect fit.

 

“They have the demographic makeup that we were looking for and a location that had some driveby traffic,” he says.

 

He only found differences in that half of car transactions last year were paying in cash and this year it is less than half that amount, besides that, Minnix sales remain consistent. 

 

Minnix resides with the conservative party and says that he will be supporting those who stand up for others that may need help succeeding. 

 

“I would love to see us be focused on how we can focus on helping people be successful versus giving all of our time and effort in dividing,” he says.

 

Rootstown resident, Dennene Barnette, feels very strongly about the livelihood in her town. 

 

Barnette finds that the emergency services do a good job even though they are supplied from the city. However, she finds that Rootstown has a large problem with their water department. 

 

“I am on a first name basis with the department because there are times where my water runs browns,” she says. 

 

Although there are some things that could be changed in the township, Barnette finds that they have a decent school system and community. 

 

Overall, many of the Portage County towns seem to be flourishing into more populated areas with connected communities and good education.