Politics & Government

Stow Finance Director Running Unopposed in November

Finance Director John Baranek was the only person who submitted petitions to be on the ballot this year.

"I feel that my performance in office has been very good for the community financial while keeping our credit worthiness at a high level for future projects," said Stow Finance Director John Baranek, who is.

Baranek, 55, has been the finance director in Stow for the last 16 years (first elected in 1996), and prior to that, he was an accountant, a financial manager in manufacturing and public accountant for 20 years.

"I enjoy serving the residents of Stow in my capacity as director of finance," he said. "I have always looked at ways to improve how the city collects income taxes and other revenue to make it less expensive and more efficient during my 16 years as director."

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His plans is to continue finding ways to collect income taxes during his next term in office.

"We are currently evaluating online payments not only for income taxes, but in other services areas in the city such as Park and Recreation programs, permits, utility billing and other services that is currently being paid for with checks or cash," he said. "As part of this process, we are making sure that we have the appropriate security programs in place for our resident that choose to use these methods of payment. Additionally, my staff and I continue to work with the mayor and City Council to develop fiscally responsible budgets to keep the city solvent."

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While Baranek vows to continue finding better ways to collect money for the city, he also knows finances aren't the greatest for any municipality right now.

"Currently the most important problem that we are facing in Stow is the general economy and the State of Ohio deficit. Regarding the economy, Stow is experiencing some improvement since we have had some economic development with new companies moving into Stow and local companies have experienced some improvement," Baranek said. "We are continually staying informed on where the state is on their budget cut plans because they will effect our current local funding from the state."

Baranek said he enjoys working for Stow and living in Stow since 1987.

"Stow has a lot to offer for families from their park and recreation programs, recreation activities (local parks, golf courses, and entertainment), and many civic organizations that a person can be apart of such as the Historical Society, Kiwanas, Rotary, and Youth sport organizations (baseball, football and soccer).  All of these things  make Stow a well-rounded community to live in," he said.

John Baranek has a B.B.A. in Accounting, MBA in Business and is a Certified Public Accountant. Baranek has lived in Stow since 1987 with his wife, Anne. They have three children: Anna, John and Jacob.


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