Eddie C. Edwards, candidate for Lorain Council Ward 5

Name: Eddie C. Edwards

Political party: Democrat

Office sought: 5th Ward Councilman

Age: 73

Place of birth: Dyersburg, Tn.

Address: 3571 Clifton Ave.

Length of residence in that community: 53

Twitter: none

Facebook: Councilman Eddie C. Edwards

Website: none

Occupation: 5Th Ward Councilman

Employer: City of Lorain

Elected office experience: 

• 9 Terms 5th Ward Councilman
• Chairman Federal Grants Program
• Vice Chairman and Committee Member (various committees)
• Past: Streets & Sidewalks Chairperson (ending 2009)

Non-elected office experience:

• Retired Business Owner: Edwards Trucking & Excavating (EENSC)
• Past: Executive Board Member, Ohio Minority Contractors Assoc., President Lorain Chapter of the NAACP, Black Elected Democratic Coalition, Lorain Habitat for Humanity, Lorain County Office of Aging, Executive Board Member Minority Trucking and Transportation (Washington D.C.), Board of Trustees Lorain County Office of Aging, 100 Men of Lorain County.

Education:

• Bruce High School Dyersburg Tn. 1962
• Cleveland State University - Project Management 2 years
• Lorain County JVS - Construction Management

Marital status:  Widowed: Annie L. Robinson-Edwards

Children: Darnisha Hunter; Gregory Edwards

Organizations: See non-elected office experience

Should you be elected, what are three specific areas you’d like to change, address, improve or further research, and how specifically would you go about it?:
During my time on council, I have helped homeowners get access to information and resources in order to solve problems and improve their properties. I also have assisted businesses in the 5th Ward with access to the financial resources they needed to put their plans in motion. I am proud of what they have accomplished.
I have also lobbied the City to keep our streets and infrastructure up-to-date even when the City lacked focus and resources. I have been able to improve more streets and unimproved streets than any other ward in this city.
The Staubach Report gave City Council recommendations for improvements that would help retain and attract businesses and residents. With the current administration and council, we are focused on the basics of these improvements and keeping the City's budget balanced. One important recommendation was the removal of the high-tension power lines from our downtown area. I represented City Council in the initial phases of developing a plan to address this issue. I made certain that this plan would improve our downtown area, provide the demand for high current voltage to power the Republic Steele furnace to create jobs and directly impact the homeowners in that area by securing an additional $250,000 from First Energy for the resurfacing of Clifton Avenue between E.29th St. and 32nd St. - at no cost to homeowners.
Ten years ago, I lobbied the City to begin the process to acquire a self-propelled paver to provide greater flexibility when it comes to short run asphalt resurfacing. This will allow the City to provide an intermediary solution to the unimproved streets in the 5th Ward (5-C) and in other wards. This also will save money by eliminating costs and fees associated with transporting large equipment on smaller projects. Our current administration along with city council is in the final stages of purchasing a paver and I have secured a commitment from Mayor Ritenauer to address this issue that has troubled the residents in parts of the 5th Ward for many years. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am confident that we are moving in the right direction. Our current administration is focused on rebuilding this city street by street in order to better prepare this city for a brighter future.


Whether for past accomplishments or future goals, why should voters elect you?
Throughout the years, I have fought to ensure that the people that I represent are not left behind. There are many challenges in the 5th Ward and throughout the city. We have lost revenue and resources that once enabled us to maintain the City’s infrastructure, attract and retain residents as well as incentivize business. While many of these issues were the result of a lack of focus by previous administrations, I have always remained committed to my responsibilities as a representative of the 5th Ward. I always answer my phone. I always return calls. I may not tell people what they want to hear, but I always tell the truth. Experience, Integrity, Leadership. With your continued support, I will remain vigilant and committed to ensuring that my 5th Ward Community is not left behind.