A conversation with Port Clinton's new mayor

PORT CLINTON — Port Clinton's new mayor had an orthodox path to office, but he's dedicated to helping the city move forward.Mike Snider announced his intention to run for mayor last year but got the job sooner than he thought after the former mayor, Hugh Wheeler Jr., resigned.The city council selected Snider to serve the rest of Wheeler's term. With no other candidates filing to run against him in November, he will be the only name on the ballot and will likely be the mayor for the foreseeable future.Snider may be new to the office but not to the city. His family has called Port Clinton home for seven generations and he served on the city council before stepping down partway through his second term."I left the city council, but I never gave up on the city or stopped trying to make it a better place," Snider said. "I remained involved with organizations and informed on the various projects. Being mayor is another way to help."Mayor Mike Snider bio• Port Clinton High School Class of 1989• Tourism administration degree from Ohio State• Lake Erie Vacation Rentals manager• OSU Alumni Club of Ottawa County president• City council 2008-2015• Father and grandfatherQ: Why did you get into politics?MS: I wouldn't say things get too political. I'm a registered Republican, but there shouldn't be party divides at the city level. It's all about making the city better and helping the community reach its potential.Q: How did you prepare for the mayor's office?MS: Last year, I met with the junior government class at Port Clinton High School. I gave them a piece of paper with 14 issues and asked them to pick the top five issue they believed were most critical to the area. I did the same with a group of adults later and was surprised to see the top five issues were the same: roads and infrastructure, city finances, downtown revitalization, job creation and citizens' attitudes.Q: How do you plan to meet these issues?MS: We brought in some experts to help formulate plans or dispel false beliefs about the area. For example, within in a 45-minute drive of Ottawa County, there are thousands of open jobs, so the idea that there aren't good paying jobs is completely false.They all sort of intermix. When new developers come to the community they look at a range of things including the infrastructure and the attitude of the community. We have great things like our school, a downtown, shoreline and great people, but we need to work on those other things.Q: What do you believe is the most pressing issue?MS: Roads and infrastructure were No. 1 on both lists and we're kind of paying the price for aging infrastructure. We have waters lines that are 20 years old. Our average water meter in the city is the same age. Our operating budget has been so restrictive that it's like we're putting bandaids on chest wounds.Q: What is your plan to fix the infrastructure problem?MS: We are in the midst of creating a five-year infrastructure plan, which is something that hasn't been done for a while, but it's necessary to move forward. We've estimated to bring everything up to date would cost millions. No city our size can afford that, so we have to address the most serious issues and create backbone we can build off of when we do have the money.Q: What about the citizens' attitudes?MS: When it comes down to it, the city can only do so much. We can make the streets and sidewalks look nice, but it's the community that truly improves it. People should know you can't rely on the government for everything, but you can always get involved to help.Q: What have you liked most since you became mayor?MS: Meeting all the people who make up this community and hearing the different ideas on how to improve the city.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterLifelong Port Clinton resident Mike Snider looks forward to his future as his hometown's mayor.Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider