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Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Mayor Matthew Stroia ready for North Canton leadership role
NORTH CANTON ‒ Matthew Stroia is now the 25th person to lead the city as mayor. "I'm really excited to get started," he said after a swearing-in ceremony on July 25 at City Hall. "It's very emotional because I love this place. This is my hometown and when I gave my first stump speech six years ago, I said I bleed orange and black. And I do." Stroia, 49, who was council president since December 2021 and at large council member since December 2019, succeeds Stephan Wilder, who announced July 22 he was stepping down. Related: North Canton Mayor Stephan Wilder to retire after long career with the city Wilder attended the ceremony. The city charter says the council president becomes mayor if the mayor resigns. Stroia took the oath by a wall with the portraits of his 24 predecessors. Stroia's wife, Jessica Stroia who is the president of the North Canton City School Board, and their 14-year-old son, Aiden, sat in the front row. The room at the North Main Street entrance of City Hall was filled with city employees, nearly all of City Council and well-wishers. They applauded loudly and Wilder embraced Stroia. "Thank you Mayor Wilder," Stroia said. "Over 40 years of public service, and the best thing is you have a big heart and you're a great man." Talking about the city staff and community, Stroia said, "but we're a team. I mean we're all together. So let's always have each other's backs. Go forward and let's always try to improve for all the people. For our community. .... To be the 25th mayor, I wasn't expecting it on this timeline. But I'm very happy to serve." Stephan Wilder issues support Wilder addressed the crowd and thanked the community and city staff. "We have come across so many things in these last few years. We've made major decisions. We've had obstacles. We've had challenges. But we also with working with council, administration and our whole (city) staff all of our decisions are made (for) the welfare of our city," he said. Wilder said he is not moving out of the city. He plans to serve on local boards for nonprofits like North Canton Cares Pantry and the North Canton Heritage Society. Stroia said he will file by the Aug. 6 deadline petition signatures seeking to run for the two-year term starting Dec. 1. Wilder has endorsed Stroia's election. "I think he's going to give all his best. ... He's rounded. He's a hometown young man. He comes from a great family. I think he has good working knowledge of city government in his time on city council," Wilder said. The mayor is a part-time position, according to the city charter. The mayor hires with approval of council the director of administration who serves at the pleasure of the mayor. The mayor has the power to veto legislation approved by council. By state law, Stroia will earn $19,418 a year, a pay increase from $8,809 a year that he earned as council president. North Canton mayoral history Wilder was the eighth mayor of North Canton to resign before the end of his term. This last happened in 1998 when William Hines resigned to become the city's law director. Then-Council President Darryl Revoldt became the mayor. Council member Stephanie Werren, At Large, becomes the council president. Council will appoint a resident of the city to the vacant at-large council member position to serve the remainder of the two-year term until Nov. 30. Stroia owns and operates the tax filing firm Buckeye Tax, the investment advisory firm Investment Network and two businesses at Oakwood Square in Plain Township, the cigar bar OSI and the brewery Spider Monkey. Stroia has not announced any plans as mayor, other then talking with staff and learning more about city departments. Twenty-four others have served as mayor of North Canton. The first mayor was William H. "Boss" Hoover, from 1906 to 1909, when the community was a village known as New Berlin. Three of the 25 served as mayor in two non-consecutive periods. Reach Robert at This article originally appeared on The Repository: Matthew Stroia becomes 25th mayor of North Canton Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Canton Mayor Stephan Wilder to retire after long career with the city
NORTH CANTON ‒ Mayor Stephan Wilder will retire July 25 and be replaced by Council President Matthew Stroia under terms of the city charter. Wilder said in a prepared statement July 22 that his announcement is made with "gratitude and anticipation." "Serving the people of North Canton has been an honor," he said. "I have most appreciated the trust you have placed in me to represent interests and contribute to our community's progress." Wilder told Stroia, Director of Administration Catherina Farina-Molnar and members of council on July 21 to their surprise about his decision. The mayor was not more specific in giving his reasoning. Stroia said Wilder, 74, told him his decision over lunch on July 21. The mayor, who had just returned from vacation, remarried last year following his wife's death in 2023. "'I'm ready to enjoy retirement and be done,'" Stroia said Wilder told him. Wilder could not be reached July 22 for comment beyond the city's statement. Matthew Stroia to become North Canton's mayor Stroia, 49, whose wife Jessica Stroia is the president of the North Canton City School Board, said he had planned to run for mayor in two years. Now, he will file with the Stark County Board of Elections by the August deadline to run to be mayor in the next two-year term starting Dec. 1. He expects Wilder to withdraw his petition to seek re-election. "I'm honored," said Stroia. "It's a bit of a surprise. But I'm more than willing to take on the role and continue the momentum of Steve's leadership. ... I'm going to campaign on my experience. What I've brought to the table the last six years (as member of council), how I've led over the last four (as council president). How we've developed from a reactive type city to a proactive type city." Stroia said he plans to retain Farina-Molnar as director of administration and he did not anticipate any major changes from the transition. "There's just small things I'd like to improve on. Nothing glaring," Stroia said without giving specifics. Council's vice president Stephanie Werren, At Large, will become the council president. Council will appoint a city resident to serve the remainder of Stroia's term as at-large council member until Nov. 30. A special meeting of council is expected to be convened for the appointment. Wilder, a former police chief, was first elected mayor in 2019 and went on to serve two additional terms. He said "an incredibly special initiative" was achieved, with voter support, that will allow for the construction of a new fire station. It was made possible by voter approval of an increase in the city income tax rate from 1.5% to 2% and a grant from the Hoover Foundation. Two property tax levies are being repealed, and a third will be allowed to expire, as the result of the income tax increase. "During my time in office, achievements have included strengthening our community with economic importance from Walsh University, Diebold-Nixdorf, Meijer, and the surrounding properties, supporting current and attracting dozens of successful small businesses," Wilder said. He also pointed to the establishment of an economic development agreement with Jackson Township and support to the North Canton City Schools' rebuilding of the primary and secondary schools and the new middle school. May: North Canton leaders rejoice after voters approve passage of Issue 4 income tax hike North Canton's Stephan Wilder's long career Wilder joined the North Canton city government in 1981 as an auxiliary police officer. He rose through the ranks and, in 2010, was appointed the city's 10th police chief. He retired from the department in 2017. "His 36-year career in law enforcement was marked by integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to public safety," said an announcement about his retirement posted online by the city administration. A few months after taking office as mayor, Wilder faced the challenge of guiding the city through the COVID-19 pandemic. "With steady leadership and a deep sense of responsibility, he helped North Canton navigate those difficult years and emerged with a renewed vision for the future," the announcement from the city administration said. "He went on to leaving a legacy of progress, collaboration, and community connection." Wilder plans to remain a North Canton resident, with his wife, and continue his involvement in local civic organizations. "The City of North Canton expresses its deepest gratitude to Mayor Wilder for his extraordinary contributions," the statement from the city administration said. "Whether you know him as Officer Wilder from his days as a D.A.R.E. officer, Chief Wilder, Mayor Wilder, or simply as Steve, a neighbor and friend, we thank him for his unwavering dedication and servant's heart." Wilder said he was especially honored for the city to have received the 2025 Distinguished Service Medal from Walsh University. "I want to express my deepest appreciation to my colleagues for their dedication, hard work, collaboration, and shared commitment to the community for all who have been instrumental in these successes," Wilder said. "In this new phase, I plan to spend more time with family and pursue personal interests. A smooth transition during this time is ensured." He said he will work closely with Stroia to facilitate a seamless handover of responsibilities. "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for your support as we worked together in helping our community strive to become better and stronger," Wilder said. "Best wishes are extended to my colleagues and the citizens who I have served. It has been a privilege and honor to be a part of this amazing journey." Stroia will take the oath of office at mayor at noon July 25 at City Hall. 'Promise kept to the community': North Canton Council begins repeal of levies (This story was updated to add more information.) Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or This article originally appeared on The Repository: North Canton Mayor Stephan Wilder retiring, replacement planned Solve the daily Crossword
