Mike Johnson
PERSONAL INFO
Office sought: New Philadelphia Law Director
Age: 63
Family: wife Joan Johnson and four adult children, twin grandsons
Education: New Philadelphia High School-1966, Ohio State University-1970, Akron Law School-1973
Hometown: New Philadelphia
Occupation: Attorney at Law (Johnson, Urban & Range, Co. LPA) and New Philadelphia Law Director
Political party affiliation: Democrat
Previous elected offices: Law Director since 1988
Applicable experience: Law Director since 1988 and prior village law director/prosecutor, trial attorney
QUESTIONS
What is the primary reason you are running for this office? I grew up in New Philadelphia and my wife and I have raised our family here. I like being part of our community and giving back. I enjoy working with all city personnel and working through issues and problems for the city.
Why should someone vote for you? I have the experience and dedication to do the job. I maintain an open door policy, listen to others, and work well with others to find solutions. I have represented our city sincerely for trials, negotiations, mediations, and in preparing legislation. I oversee the prosecutor office which represents 15 state agencies, 13 townships and the city police department and agencies. This year there has been filed 1031 contested criminal cases thru Oct.11, 2011. That office remains current so every case is timely handled. All citizens deserve their day in court without delay. I have done a good job as Law Director for the city.
What is the biggest problem(s) facing your community? As most communities continue to struggle to pay programs ordered by the state, finances and budgets will be the biggest challenge here. The city tries to be creative and cautious in its spending. I help create the ordinances to make our city an attractive location for businesses to bring in new income.
How do you propose to solve it (them)? A Law Director has duties as listed in the Ohio Revised Code. I can and do help with creating ordinances for zoning, enterprise zone, annexation, and other incentives to bring and keep businesses in the city. City council makes final decisions through ordinances and resolutions. Council sets the budgets for all departments, with input from each department. I prepare that ordinance for council.
Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed? I have already cut travel and continuing legal education items and I try to limit outside professional services.
Why are you running for public office? I am dedicated and have the experience for this office. I believe that my ability to work with people helps the city resolve many issues and brings a benefit to the community. I enjoy working to form New Philadelphias future. I want New Philadelphia to continue to grow and be a safe, friendly community for all families.
Why do you think you can make a difference in your community? Over the last 24 years I have helped resolve many different types of conflict in the city. My open door policy allows different matters to be brought to the proper departments for resolution. I have helped to create solutions to encourage development for business and residential purposes. I respect the opinions of others and listen to promote the future of our city. I think I do make a difference.
How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do whats best for them? Through cooperation our communities do work together. Ambulances and fire trucks are loaned. Safety forces work together. As Law Director, I have worked with other Law Directors to create programs for mutual aid. We have worked together to create compatible ordinances for certain issues. New Philadelphias prosecutors office handles cases for 13 townships and 15 state agencies so we work together in many ways. This cooperation and communication is good for our county.
