Alliance City Council: 4 candidates vie for 3 at-large spots in May primary

Yahoo

07-05-2025

ALLIANCE ‒ Voters in Alliance rarely see contested races for Alliance City Council. The last time it happened was 2013.
Twelve years later, voters will see two contested races in the May 6 primary election for City Council. Both will decide Republican nominees for the November ballot.
The winners will face a challenge in November, too, from a Democrat opponent.
Here is a preview of one of those matchups − council at-large. Four candidates will be vying for three seats that pay $9,962.33 per year.
The pay rate will increase in 2026 to $10,161,57. The term is for two years.
The other contested race, Ward 3, will be previewed in a separate article.
Kristopher Bugara: 'Great infrastructure is key to attracting new businesses to our city...'
Bugara, 49, has been on City Council since 2019, when he was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Roger Rhome in 2019. He has been re-elected two times.
He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. He works in the insurance business and is a member of several local clubs, including Alliance Elks Lodge 467. He is currently the chairman of council's Streets and Alleys Committee.
Bugara said the city has paved more in the last five years than the previous 10 years combined, and it'll take another decade to get all streets paved.
Kristopher Bugara has served five years on Alliance City Council. He is one of three incumbents seeking the three at-large seats in the 2025 election.
"We are well on our way," Bugara said. "Great infrastructure is key to attracting new businesses to our city, and the streets are a large part of that."
Bugara has been one of the more vocal supporters of transparency in city government, describing it as a priority. He said he doesn't plan to change course.
"I will continue to hold our administration accountable," he said.
Bugara said he does not support rental regulations that come with fees, and said not all landlords should be thrown "into the same pot." He supports a database of all properties.
Bugara also supports attracting more businesses to the north end of Alliance.
"I know we are currently adding a few new businesses downtown, but I would like to see us concentrate more on developing the north side of town and not put all our efforts onto State Street," Bugara said.
Jennifer Kiko: 'I believe strongly in being a good steward of city resources ...'
First elected in 2023, Kiko, 59, seeks her second term on City Council. She has two children and three grandchildren.
Kiko is the grassroots director for Americans for Prosperity. Her other community involvement includes Stark County Family Council, Church of Canton and Alliance Elks Lodge 467.
She currently serves as chairwoman of council's Safety and Judiciary Committee.
Jennifer Kiko has served on Alliance City Council for two years. She holds one of three at-large seats.
Kiko also considers transparency in city government a major priority. "I don't believe we have been effective in communicating with city residents why Alliance takes certain steps in law-making."
Kiko said economic development also is important to provide "a living wage for our residents and securing opportunities that come our way to benefit the entire city and not a few."
She said she supports a rental registration that supports both landlords and tenants. She opposes any fees outside an inspection fee, if necessary.
"I am also opposed to internal inspections and creating a revenue stream to supplement advancing the city administration," Kiko saod.
She also supports the creation of a community resource guide to help residents navigate "all the Alliance resources" available to them.
"I am a representative of the people and want to make sure our residents' best interests are first over everything," Kiko said. "I believe strongly in being a good steward of city resources and taxpayer dollars."
Phillip Mastroianni: 'I'm committed to help make Alliance an attractive place to live ...'
Mastroianni, 39, who works for his family's company Alliance Ventures has been serving on City Council for the past five years. He and his wife, Sarah, have two children.
He currently serves as chairman of the Planning, Housing and Zoning Committee.
Mastroianni has led the legislative process on city's controversial plans to regulate rental property. No formal regulation has been finalized or voted on, as of April 10. Mastroianni said he remains committed to the process.
Phillip Mastroianni has been on Alliance City Council for five years. He holds one of the three at-large seats.
"As chairman of the Planning, Housing, and Zoning Committee, I will continue to advocate for stronger code enforcement of our residential and commercial maintenance and zoning codes. I believe this is a cornerstone for creating a desirable place for people to want to live," Mastroianni said.
He further explained that a majority of Alliance residents live in rental units and "deserve the right to safe housing."
"I'm committed to helping make Alliance an attractive place to live, finding solutions to ensure that we live up to the standards we set for ourselves as a city, and fostering a welcoming community for our current businesses and potential new ones," he added.
His other community activities include serving as a board member for the Alliance Family Health Center, United Way of Greater Stark County, Alliance Farmers' Market and the Greater Alliance Development Corporation.
"Alliance has so many things to be proud of. A top-notch university, a superb hospital, great K-12 schools, a wonderful library system, beautiful parks and a strong Main Street corporation, to name a few," Mastroianni said.
He said the city must keep its focus on growth.
"As a city government, we must continue this positive momentum by using every tool we have, such as the UDAG program, tax incentives and thoughtful planning to create a city that is welcoming new businesses and people."
Rev. Joshua Smith: 'My top priorities center on creating a more responsive and sustainable city for all residents.'
Smith, 39, is a pastor at First Baptist Church of Alliance. He and his wife, Chrissy, have two children. He sees City Council as a "natural extension of his calling" to serve, unite and show compassion but on a broader scale.
"As a pastor, I've devoted my life to nuturing a church community united in pursuing goodness. My leadership experience has taught me the importance of noticing and celebrating community growth and accomplishments ...," Smith said.
He added: "On the flip side, I have also had to develop the skills need to have difficult conversations, mediate conflicts and find common ground among diverse perspectives. I have experience firsthand how the healthiest, most productive solutions often emerge when we approach challenges with respect, transparency and a willingness to truly listen."
If elected, Smith said his priorities would be to "center on creating a more responsive and sustainable city for all residents," and find compassionate and practical solutions for the city's growing homeless population.
Rev. Joshua Smith of First Baptist Church of Alliance is seeking his first term on Alliance City Council, challenging for one of three at-large seats.
Smith also said he is committed to "strengthening our safety forces" but also wants to curb the overtime budget. He supports the city's plans to regulate rentals and called proposed legislation "as a good start."
"While most local landlords exceed minimum standards and genuinely care for their tenants' well-being, I've witnessed properties where necessities like running water, heat, functional plumbing and weather-tight roofs are neglected," Smith said.
His other community activities include serving as chaplain at Alliance Hospice and Aultman Alliance Community Hospital, funeral officiant for families not connected with a church, and Hot Stove baseball coach.
Smith said the city needs more indoor recreation options for families during the winter months. He said his family has to leave Alliance to find those types of activities, such as Pump it Up in Hartville.
"I would love to see Alliance develop similar indoor options where kids and families can remain active, engaged and connected during the winter months. It would create year-long recreational opportunities that strength our community bonds," Smith said.
The winners of the Republican primary will face 39-year-old Jorge Mendoza, a Democrat and data analytics manager, in the Nov. 4 general election. Mendoza has no primary challengers.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or [e-mail]. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: 4 Alliance Republicans vying for 3 at-large council seats