Unopposed Law Director Gets Another Term in Stow

is looking forward to another term as law director in Stow after running unopposed Nov. 8.

Reali received 8,281 votes, accoring to the final but unofficial results from the Summit County Board of Elections.

"It will be an interesting and exciting term. I look forward to working with the new mayor and council members and to serve the citizens to the best of my ability," Reali said.

Working with the citizens is one of his favorite parts of the job, he said.

"I like directly working with the citizens. Anyone can pick up a phone and call me with an issue or make an appointment and come see me. There is not a lot of bureaucracy in our office," Reali said.

Some goals in his second term in office will be to "really concentrate on economic development issues with the new administration, especially to assist in whatever way possible in securing a hospital in Stow." He said he'd also like to focus on exploring more opportunities to collaborate with other municipalities. 

Although some of the administration is changing, there are some other things Reali would like to see change — like politics coming first before the residents and services a city provides.

"People are tired of politics first, one-line sound bites and 'easy answers' to every problem. They want to see their elected officials put politics aside and work together," said Reali. "Local government is service industry. We all need to make sure the people are getting the services they pay for."

Reali doesn't want everything to change though. There are things he said his department is doing well that he'd like to continue to focus on.

"We are doing a good job with an increased prosecution load and same staffing numbers. Our staff is able to cross-level and step up to a wide range of jobs on short notice," he said. "For example, one day our lawyers maybe in criminal court Stow, the next day in a civil hearing in Federal Court and then attending an economic development meeting."