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LISBON -- After one year as a village councilman, Peter Wilson has decided to try for the top job.
Wilson announced Thursday he plans to run for mayor this year as an independent candidate.
"We're losing many opportunities because we're not considering new ideas. Sometimes it seems that we prefer to throw the same old solutions at problems even though we know those solutions haven't worked in years," Wilson said in a news release. "We need sound leadership, and I promise to provide that leadership while stressing transparency and accountability."
Wilson took office last January after being elected to council in 2017 and immediately started questioning the status quo. He also began bringing up the same issues meeting after meeting until they were addressed, including the need to take a more aggressive approach in enforcing village laws regulating junk and garbage in yards.
He is a major supporter of former Mayor Joe Morenz's plans for revitalizing the downtown business district and holding the owners of neglected and dilapidated properties accountable, but the two clashed over the pace and tone of the plan's implementation. Morenz resigned in July for health problems, citing Wilson as a contributing factor.
Morenz was succeeded by Council President Roger Gallo, who ran for mayor in 2015 but lost to Morenz. Gallo has not stated whether he will run for mayor this year.
Since taking office, Wilson said he has saved the village "thousands of dollars" by pushing to refinance the loan used to build the new village hall and recommending more than one bid be obtained before awarding contracts.
"I take the responsibility of spending taxpayer money very seriously. We have a tight financial situation and I think we need to consider any way to save money while spending what we have wisely," he said.
Wilson is also an active member of the Lisbon Historical Society and the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce, helping with several events to promote the downtown, and he also serves as program director for the Columbiana County Park District. He said working through these agencies to promote the town and offer incentives to attract businesses is key to reviving Lisbon.
"More businesses mean better public services because they create jobs and boost the village's tax revenue. And we need to work more closely with the county and chamber of commerce," he said. "Open communication is a must."
If elected, Wilson promises to be a "hands on" mayor who will maintain regular hours at his village hall office so residents can stop by if they have a question or a problem.
Wilson, 64, is a retired news reporter with more than 30 years of experience working for newspapers, magazines and news agencies, including Bloomberg News, where he held several management positions. He has a bachelor's degree from Walsh University and a master's degree from the University of London. Wilson lives on North Vine Street.