Monroe Chat

Many of you know me as the Weatherman here in Monroe. I have had this on my mind for about a year now and that is the possibility of running for local office. I am thinking City Council... First because right now there are only two people that have pulled positions for three seats.

The first reason I am on hesitant is because I don't want to pull right now simply because I am not sure if Mrs. Anna Hale is going to run because I don't want to run against either of the three that are up for reelection. I feel they have done a great job with the city.


Second reason is I am not sure if people will respect me or take me seriously. I admit I have made mistakes on the voice and I am afraid those actions will hurt me. But if you know me as a person you will think very differently of me. I know that for a fact because I have been told that by a variety of people that post here and on the voice. I am just a very passionate person that sometimes my emotions get to the best of me. I am trying to do better and that is one of the main reason I am off the voice because I want to make myself better. I want to have an impact on this city and make this be the shining light of southwest Ohio. I really think through my courage and the way I was brought up and my knowledge can make the City of Monroe an even better place to live. If I am going to run for public office I will do it between now and before I turn 35. Lastly I am taking life in a new direction this fall as long as financing goes well of attending graduate school and getting my masters degree. I will do an internship within a year or two and that will likely land me in my career. Its a tough job market out there to say the least and I am going to make myself more applicable to employers by doing my masters.

I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking hard about this and need some direction. Be honest with me please!
Thanks and take Care
Steven J Urso

I"m not a big fan of Italians. Is Urso an Italian name?
Just kidding (really). My point being that you'll need to be thick-skinned. It seems to me that any public position requires a thick skin. Lots of abuse aimed at our public officials (be they School Teachers or politicians).
What can you tell us about your background? In what field is your BS degree? In what field will your Masters be? Not that it matters, but how old are you? (you brought it upon youself when you said you wanted to run for office before turning 35).
You can be taken seriously, if you can control your passion. Not do away with it,but making sure you don't unintentionally offend others while expressing it. Can you take criticism with a grain of salt, or will you fly off the handle when asked pointed questions?
I'd like to hear what you have to offer.

I have lived in Monroe for 25 years and I went to Monroe High School where my dad was teacher and coach for over 25 years. My father and mother are big part of who I am today. Because they had a passion for making people better and doing their jobs very well. Many people within the community have a good deal if respect for my father. He lived and died at the old Monroe High School baseball field. That field was the best high school field in southwest Ohio when he was there. I was there with him when I was growing up and his work technique and his ability to have an impact made me who I am today. After I graduated high school I went to Miami University where I received my bachelors degree in Physical Education and Sport Studies. I have worked within Middletown City School as a sub teacher for two years and I have also been employed at the YMCA for six years. I am likely going to Xavier for my masters degree in Sports Administration and management. I plan on sub teaching and at the same time trying to find permanent employment while I pursue my masters degree. I will be applicable to employers as I pursue my masters degree. I will be 27 years old August 9th.

I joined a progressives group this past February where I have taken some abuse for my stance on SunCoke. I was verbally attacked by Union Member at a meeting where I stood strong and kept my poise and answered his questions with a good deal of respect. I had several people after the meeting come up to me and say you handled that well. They said I was well rehearsed in what I needed to say and held my ground even though I was taking alot of heat for opposing SunCoke.

Today I had a 90 minute debate with a council candidate that is running in Middletown and he gave me criticism for opposing SunCoke and gave the City of Monroe some criticism. Through patience and being factual and not emotional I was able to get that individual really thinking about the issue itself and he learned alot about the other side. I know I can stand strong in a position of power and not go off the deep when criticized by citizens. If you go off the deep end several thing will happen.
1. People will not take you seriously.
2. You will not get reelected.
3. You will lose respect.
Again I am a chairperson in this progressives group and a executive committee member that has taken questions and been able to hold my ground without personally attacking people. I think though my experiences on the voice where I have chewed up and spat out that has made be stronger and to ignore those that do such a thing. I need to be the adult and walk away when someone is being harmful or disrespectful towards me. Feel free to fire away and ask me questions and see how I respond. That is what I want. I want to see if I am ready to take this major step.
Bob, Tracy and Steve feel free to fire away. Personally again I don't want to run against the current folks up for reelection because they have done very well with the city. Again there is that possibility of an open seat that I may consider in the very near future.
Take Care
Urso

I don't know if I'd vote for someone that has called me an a_hole and a_wipe for posting a question on a forum.

I do apologize for my actions. I am getting better. I am willing to apologize to you personally if that is what you want. Bob is a good friend of mine and that post was very cruel in nature. I was basically sticking up for Bob because you came across as someone that enjoyed that. But I have learned that is the part of being in political office and post and cartoons like that will be made of you if you are public office and that is something you must be willing to accept. Les again I do apologize and I know for a fact that day I wrote that email things weren't going well and I was not in the mood and my emotions got to the best of me and I was wrong for writing that email. We all make mistakes and I am just asking to forgive me and if you don't vote for me if I run that is fine with me. Again take care....

Urso - I commend you deeply for having such drive and a desire to improve yourself and further your education.

I have regarded your dedication to the Suncoke issue a litmus test to your strength of character; however I would be remiss if I didn't suggest that (In my opinion) it would be premature for you to assume a seat on the City Council at this time.

I learned many years ago that academic success, drive, determination, along with the best of intentions, rarely equate to life experience. At 21 years old I was considered a top performer in my field, yet I did not have the respect of those who worked for me. It wasn't the job I was doing, my qualifications spoke for themselves, it was because I wasn't yet equipped with life experience. What I know now that I didn't know then, is that life experience is every bit as important as a plethora of qualifications.

Work toward your goals Urso and you will benefit in a myriad of ways. Do not feel compelled to apologize for every previous wrong word or action, take the time to understand why you reacted to situations, learn from them, apologize if the situation warrants, but unless you give yourself permission to grow (with knowledge) you will forever be in a holding pattern.

Above all else; know that RESPECT is not demanded but commanded by one's own actions... and you have mine. Your post was insightful and heartfelt.

Urso, if you have the passion and believe in yourself, then pull a petition and go for it. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain simply from the experience. Maybe you won't be elected but you never know until you try. Be honest, admit your mistakes and learn from them. If you fail, take the knowledge gained, improve upon it and next time around could be victory.

Personally I don't vote for the candidate with the experience. I vote for the one with conviction and good attitude.

Are you a conservative or socialist?

LOL.... I am a moderate independent...

For now I am exploring what the vibe is out there and how people are going take the idea of a young guy like me running for city council. I am ready for any questions you may have for me and I really want to test myself and see how I come across. Here is a mini platform that is starting point for my possible campaign:

1. Continue and expand the communication between city council and the citizens. For example continue town hall meetings, attend HAO meetings and continue circulation of the Monroe Messenger and Observer. One idea to possibly communicate better is to have one council member a month write a small editorial about what is going on in the City of Monroe.
2. Keep the city fiscally responsible. I do think the current council has done well when it comes to spending our tax money. I am fiscally conservative and will not hesitate to speak up if money is being used in an area that it shouldn't. I do think we need to be more open about how we spend our money and this is just another way to have open communication with the citizens of Monroe.

3. Bring more economic growth to the City of Monroe. Work with prospective businesses and attract them to Monroe through my good interpersonal skills. We do need to watch how many abatement's we hand out. I think we are at time for any retail or non business that won't pay upper five figures and six figure jobs to their employees not to give them a free ride into the city. If we get an employer that will bring 50+ six figure jobs then a possible abatement will be considered. Most importantly that business needs to be community friendly and most importantly environmentally friendly.
4. We need to work with our local school district because times are very tough to be a publically funded school district. We must make sure they get a good deal of benefit when new business comes to town. We must also effectively communicate with the school and work together to not only have a great city but have a great school district.
5. Through talking with a possible Middletown City Council member we both agreed if we were on council that we would want to have good relationships with our surrounding communities. As you know our relationship with Middletown has gone down the tank over the past year. I as a council person would be willing to the past behind us and work with the City of Middletown to achieve economic prosperity. I do think in the end the City of Monroe and Middletown will need to work together to achieve successfully.

6. This will be a key issue in this year’s election and that will be SunCoke. The Middletown Council member that is running said that is a key issue in his area. I do think it will be an important issue here in Monroe. I will stand up for our citizens and in the best interest of their health and well being. I will not stand for a non environmentally friendly coke plant. I am all for the jobs and if it keeps AK Steel from leaving Middletown temporarily then that is fine but SunCoke must be environmentally compliant and friendly. We must put the City of Monroe first and I did ask this question to the Middletown Council Member candidate of what benefit this would have for Monroe? He said absolutely NO benefit. The question will be posed how much is enough to keep the fight going? When the time comes where the finances of this fight start to worry me I will let that be known because my goal is to be fiscally responsible council member.

Overall I want to use what I learned through my schooling and the way I was brought up with my dad and mom and use those great talents that I possess to make the City of Monroe a better place for all to live.

I have made a facebook page for those interested.

I think that you have good intentions, but should continue to work on the way you deliver your message before pursuing something like this. I understand that not everyone is good at spelling and grammar, but as I've stated in the past it does help to slow down as well as use spell check in order to deliver your message in the best way possible. As an FYI, I believe the title of this thread should be "Contemplating and I need your direction." I am honestly not attempting to criticize you, but to emphasize that a small thing like spell check will go a long way in gaining respect for what you have to say (IMO).

Being roughly the same age as you, I don't entirely believe that age should be a factor in anything you do. However, I do agree that experience is necessary and as an example I feel that when it comes to many City issues there is a lack of experience that comes with never having owned a home in Monroe (or elsewhere). Again, no criticism intended. I would urge you to revisit this in a few years when, as Patey suggested, the life experience you've acquired at that time will be a greater asset to your pursuit.

To step up and face your critics takes a mighty person. Steven has already encountered as much with his efforts on the Suncoke issue.
I do have personal concerns that of the many who will support there will be equal if not more, who will choose to be negative and unkind (way of the world unfortunately) It is my hope that those who do condemn, will be met with gracious fortitude .

Aspirations in ones life and career are two key factors to ensure success.. Again, I wish Steven all the very best!

I agree, it is difficult to take criticism and I commend you Urso for asking for people's honest opinions. Hopefully, you'll take them as constructive criticism and grow from the comments you have been and will be given.

Thanks for the feedback it is much appreciated. I am nowhere close to a decision right now. I may pull petitions but whether I turn them in or not will be the debate. I want to say what kind of changes do you want in Monroe? Here are a few ideas:
1. More sidewalks on city streets. I have already been approached about a few neighborhoods that need sidewalks.
2. Continue to improve Monroe Community Park and continue to establish Monroe Crossing's Park
3. With all the new development within Monroe. What would people think of some form of public transportation? I have thought about anything from a bus service to a trolley system throughout Monroe. With the added traffic out by 75 I think it could be beneficial to offer public transportation to Monroe residents. We could link the system with West Chester, Liberty Township, Fairfield Township and Middletown.
4. A city wide Neighborhood watch program must be established! We need to work the police department with uniformed system to stop break ins and other forms of crime throughout Monroe.
5. I am for more speed humps throughout the city. We need ways to curtail speeding throughout main thoroughfares in Monroe.
6. What do we do with Old Monroe High School? I know this is a school issue. I think we need to work with the school district to do something with the Old Monroe High School. I have an image of tearing down the old part of Monroe High School. I think we should renovate the newer part of Monroe High School into a community center/recreational center.
Secondly,
This leads to another park within the City of Monroe. The old ball fields that sit on Monroe Local School property should be upgraded and fixed up to attract local softball and baseball tournaments. I know Old Monroe High School baseball field use to the best field in southwest Ohio and one of my ideas to upgrade that field with new dugouts, bleachers etc. Fix up the field closest to Monroe Elementary and also fix the old softball field up. We could create walking/running trails around the field along with some basketball courts and or playground equipment.
7. As I stated before we need to have continue to open the communication system throughout Monroe. I would love for each council member to publish a council blog once a month in the Monroe Observer and Monroe Messenger. Attend more HAO meetings and meet and get to know the citizens of Monroe.

Let me what changes you would like to see in Monroe. Thanks for reading!