LISBON — Voters in Lisbon will fill four council seats from a field of seven candidates during the Nov. 4 general election.

Three incumbents, a former mayor and councilman and three newbies will be on the ballot.

Jerry Cox , Melissa Hiner and Susan Temple are the three candidates hoping to continue their service on council while former Mayor Joseph Morenz is hoping for another chance to help lead Lisbon and Patricia Kronenberg looks to re-enter local government. Joe Vitko and Jereme Kliner are seeking office for the first time.

Cox, 59, is seeking a third-term and currently serves as chair of both the sewer committee and the fire and safety committee and is also a member of the cemetery committee. He said he is actively working with Fire Chief Mark Hall and the Lisbon Village Fire Department on the purchase of a new pumper truck using funds from the fire levy renewal. Cox also previously served on the parks committee and held the role of first chair on the street committee for seven years, where he focused on road maintenance, improvements and infrastructure planning.

“I am proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past eight years, but there’s still much more we can do,” said Cox. “From public public safety, parks and recreation, road improvements, to supporting local businesses, I will continue to be committed to making the Village of Lisbon an even better place to live.”

A lifelong Lisbon resident and graduate of David Anderson High School, Cox is married to Krista Zahrndt-Cox and has three children, a stepson, and four grandchildren and currently owns and manages J & K Properties, where he oversees leasing, maintenance, financials, and ensuring regulatory compliance with local regulations.

Hiner, too, wants to finish what she has started on council.

“I’m seeking re-election to Lisbon Village Council to continue the important work we started — updating our personal policies, strengthening our financial stability and ensuring our tax dollars are used efficiently and responsibly,” she said.

Hiner is the current Village of East Palestine Finance Director and the former City of Salem Deputy Auditor. She is a graduate of David Anderson High School and Ohio Valley Business College where she earned her associate degree in accounting.

“When I took on the responsibility as a member of council, I made a commitment to strengthen our financial resources to ensure our village is positioned for long-term success. I did not take that lightly,” Hiner said. “That is why I focused on the financial welfare of our village, making smart and sustainable decisions that would help stabilize our budget. I will continue to look for ways to help reduce expenses and increase revenue. This is a key component in being able to afford the necessary replacement and repairs to our infrastructure.”

A lifelong resident of Lisbon for the past 50 years and the mom to Chloe, 17, Hiner said she “remains committed to the future of our village.” She cites the update to Lisbon’s personnel policy which helped “reduce the financial burden on the village by addressing vacation and comp time and retirement cashout” and the introduction and passing of a resolution asking all landlords to file a Landlord-Tenant Information Form that “has helped ensure compliance with Lisbon Village tax laws, prevented future penalties for residents and increased village revenue” as her biggest accomplishments while on council. She also is proud to have proposed and helped implement “a council-approved plan to make health insurance more affordable for our village employees, improving both morale and retention.”

Temple was first elected to the village council in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021. While on council, she has chaired many different committees.

Temple feels the village is moving in the right direction. Progress, she believes, has been made, but there is more work ahead.

“I think we are improving the village, but there is more that needs to be done. We are working to improve streets, parks and safety forces. Just look at East Washington Street and the paving of downtown squares,” Temple said. “But infrastructure projects are expensive and we need to continue to seek grants.”

Temple said she chooses to lead through example with community engagement and community involvement.

“I am an active council member, being a member of council is more than just showing up twice a month at meetings,” she said. “It is being active in the community.”

Temple is a member of the downtown beautification community and was instrumental in decorating the Veterans Square for Veterans Day.

“Without our veterans, we wouldn’t enjoy all of the freedoms we have in this great country,” Temple said.

Temple also volunteers at the village pool and is active in Lisbon’s two townships — Center and Elkrun. She also volunteers at Angels for Animals, and operates her own cat rescue called the Spay Station which she established in 2010.

Temple is a graduate of Southern Local High School and Mount Union College. She worked for 34 years at Belmont Properties as office manager and has been a resident of the village since 1998.

A U.S. Army veteran and former Mayor of Lisbon, Morenz has a long history of public involvement including 17 years with the Lisbon Fire Department. He previously served as both councilman and mayor, positions that gave him firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the community.

“I understand the problems that face Lisbon and can help in solving them,” Morenz said. “I care deeply about our residents, our businesses, and our future.”

Morenz, 59, and his wife, Angel, own Serious Carpet Cleaning, a local business they founded 18 years ago. The couple also manages rental properties in the area, providing quality housing to local families. Before that, they owned and operated Cory Car Cleaners for 11 years. His work history also includes time with Eljers Salem, Lear Lordstown, and Magna Seating, where he was a proud member of the Steelworkers and UAW unions.

Community involvement has always been central to Morenz’s life. He is a member of the Lisbon Eagles and the Lisbon Lions Club and helped coach track in Lisbon for seven years.

Morenz says his priorities include revitalizing downtown Lisbon, improving streets, parks, and the community pool, and attracting new businesses while supporting existing ones. He also highlights the urgent need for a local ambulance service, noting concerns about long response times for emergency calls. He said he would like to see the Steel Trolley Diner either opened or sold to someone that would re-open it.

“I want to see downtown thriving again,” Morenz said. “We need to be proactive in attracting and supporting businesses, and we need to make sure our community services meet the needs of our residents — especially our older population.”

A lifelong public servant who has “never lost an election” and has “never been appointed to a public body,” Morenz emphasizes his commitment to earning the trust of Lisbon’s voters.

After stepping down as mayor due to health concerns, Morenz has since made significant lifestyle changes, losing 40 pounds and bringing his blood pressure under control.

“I feel better than ever and ready to serve again,” he said. “I believe I’m the best candidate to fill the seat of Tom Darcy, who chose not to run. Lisbon is my home, and I want to continue working to make it the best it can be.”

Morenz and his wife Angel have two children, Cory and Courtney, and two grandchildren, Avery (3) and Olivia (6).

Patricia Kronenberg is looking to re-win public office, having served two terms as councilwoman in Stratford, Connecticut (population 52,420). Kronenberg also served on the city’s planning committee before moving to Lisbon three years ago. She currently serves on Lisbon’s Board of Zoning Appeals.

Kronenberg said two of her biggest accomplishments as a member of the Stratford Council was establishing a battered women’s shelter and working with the senior center to improve experiences for the aging population.

Kronenberg said she wants to serve the people. That’s the purpose of politics.

“I have never been nor ever will be part of the ‘Gold Old Boy’ mentality and will always work to establish fair and honest practices,” she said. “I have an understanding of how the government works and have no ties to previous councils.”

Kronenberg said she supports changing the way emergency services are used in the village.

“I have a great respect for our police and fire departments who serve our village community tirelessly. Relying on police to oversee blight neither serve them or our community,” she said. “Their service is more important to the community’s safety. Grass and trash should not be part of their daily routine.”

Kronenberg, a regular attendee at all council meetings, a business owner for 16 years and a rental property owner , said a fresh perspective and new voice is needed.

“I commend those who have served on council but why not take this opportunity to bring a new voice to your council? I promise to come committed and ready to serve,” Kronenberg said. “To continue to elect candidates who are not qualified or want to return creates what I call ‘Ground Hog Day.’ Let’s positively move forward.”

Joe Vitko and Jereme Kliner did not return a candidate questionnaire by press time.