Recordpub.com - Windham mayor candidates look toward village's future

By Don Jovich
Record-Courier staff writer
WINDHAM " On Nov. 6, two candidates will square off at the ballot box to determine who will be the village's mayor.
Incumbent C. James Moore is running against mayoral hopeful and councilman Robert W. Donham.
Moore and his wife, Patti, have lived in the village for 48 years.
They and their three children all graduated from Windham High School. Moore served on the Windham Board of Education four years and was also a Hot Stove baseball coach and manager.
Since his retirement in August 2004, Moore said he has made a full-time commitment to the part-time position of mayor and will continue to do so.
During his tenure, Moore said he's made many accomplishments.
"Our police officers are on the street policing more effectively; drug pushers are being pushed out of the village or leaving," he said. "We went from three full-time officers to five and seven part-time; from no canines to two canines " both certified for drugs detection and tracking."
In addition, Moore is responsible for the downtown of the village being revitalized with renovation of the municipal offices, council chambers and the police department.
A large parking area expansion also was completed making parking convenient for those renting the community building, for ball teams, fans and residents doing business at the offices or attending meetings in council chambers.
"The general fund balance as of Sept. 30 of this year is $250,914," Moore said. "Last year, the balance was $95,903 which is an increase in one year of $155,011 or 162 percent."
Donham graduated from Windham High School in 1999 and graduated cum laude from Youngstown State University's Rayen College of Engineering with a bachelor of engineering degree in 2004.
A village resident for the past 22 years, Donham and his wife, Deann, have been married since 2001 and have one son, Robert Donham III.
"If I am fortunate enough to be chosen by my peers to lead this great village, I plan to change the perception of our government from one of disappointment and frustration, to one of hope and accomplishment," he said.
Appointed to council in 2005, Donham served as president of council.
Donham also served as chairman of council's Housing Committee, chairman of the Safety/Personnel/Bargaining Committee, and served on the Finance Committee, Parks and Recreations Committee and the Economic
Development Committee.
"I would like to help transform Windham into a safer more stable place to raise a family, a place where children can play with out the parents worrying about drugs, theft and violence," he said.

Village of Windham Mayor
Term: Four years
Salary: $9,000 per year

Name: C. James Moore
Occupation: Retired from ALCOA Aluminum with 24 1/2 years of employment and was employed for 18 years with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).
Previous elected office: Served 8 1/2 years on Council and 7 years as Mayor.
Question: What is one of the most important issues in the village?
Answer: "Extending water and sewer lines 4.5 mils into the arsenal and selling them an additional 133,000 gallons of water each day will help to stabilize our water and sewer bills. If we're successful at getting the Army National Guard to allow over 1,500 soldiers and other personnel access to our village, it will be a big boost economically to the merchants in our village."

Name: Robert W. Donham
Occupation: Civil engineer
Previous elected office: Previously appointed to council in 2005, served as president of Council and currently serving on Village Council.
Question: What is one of the most important issues in the village?
Answer: "I would like to help Windham achieve stronger economic security so that infrastructure and recreation facilities can be something to be proud of. The transformation will not be easy, but it is possible."