Gregory Bricker

EAST LIVERPOOL — The two-man race for East Liverpool mayor just got a little more crowded, after a write-in candidate filed for the November general election.

Gregory Bricker announced Monday that he is seeking the post, currently being held by incumbent Ryan Stovall and also pursued by his opponent, at-large councilman Brian Kerr.

He explains that he believes the current administration needs to better support local businesses, revitalize the local economy and improve community resources.

“Our community is concerned that local leadership is not focusing on the necessary developments that will allow our city to grow and prosper,” Bricker explained. “We are at a crossroads, and East Liverpool needs bold leadership. As mayor, I will build partnerships with public sector and business leaders that will be key to bringing prosperity back into our city.”

A local small business owner and Certified Public Accountant in addition to a Certified Financial Planner, Bricker moved back to the area three years ago from Pittsburgh and has reached out to the community, which had supported his family’s business, Bricker’s Cafeteria.

In addition to being a recent appointee to the Thompson Park board, Bricker also serves on the YMCA board, East Liverpool City Hospital board, Kent State East Liverpool advisory board, and the Counseling Center (of Columbiana County) board.

A 2004 graduate of East Liverpool High School and 2008 graduate of Youngstown State University, he founded Next Step Financial Planning in downtown, where he assists individual with their future and believes that growing local revenue, cutting wasteful spending while supporting the safety forces is key to municipal success.

He said that he witnesses the lackluster economic development on the front lines. “(East Liverpool officials) don’t do enough to bring business down here, and I will roll out the details during the campaign. We need to do a better job engaging the community and finding out what they want and need. We need to ask what we can do to make East Liverpool a better place to live and do business. It is a simple question, but it hasn’t happened yet.”

When asked about his weakness, Bricker does admit that he lacks political experience like his opponents; however, he also considers that one of his major strengths. “I provide a voice from the outside looking in and we need those. The first thing I want to do is focus on eliminating the wasteful spending,” such as garbage cans and signs posted in the Diamond near his business prohibiting smoking in the Diamond.

A fiscal conservative, he asks how does that make money. “We need to get our priorities straight like fixing roads, and I can provide a fresh look,” Bricker concludes, telling voters that he looks forward to any debates or town halls where he can present his master plan.

Since he is a write-in, he reminds voters to not only write his name, Greg Bricker, on the ballot but to remember to shade in the oval next to his name to make sure their vote is properly counted.

Bricker and his wife Katie are avid runners and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy walking their two dogs at Thompson Park.