Kevin Coughlin Honored for Public Service

Stow City Council unanimously passed a resolution of appreciation Feb. 10 for Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls, who represented Summit County in the Ohio Senate from 2001 to 2011 and served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1997 to 2001.

Coughlin represented Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Twinsburg and all Summit County cities in Ohio for 14 years.

While the local politicians said they didn't always agree with Coughlin's ideas, they respected his work while representing Summit County.

"I have a great deal of respect for the job that he’s done," said Council President Janet D'Antonio. 

In his 14 years of service, Coughlin was the chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee for six years, served as the chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee and the Senate State and Local Governments and Veterans Affairs Committee.

"Kevin was also the leader in bringing the Amber Alert system to Ohio," said Councilor Matt Riehl. "He worked tirelessly to protect children against child predators."

"I think he has represented the city of Stow well in the state legislature, I think he's a very hard worker," said Mayor Karen Fritschel. 

Coughlin thanked council, the mayor and all of the residents in Stow and Summit County and said "it was a great honor."

He also joked and said, "People are much nicer to you once you’re out of office."

Since leaving his public post, Coughlin has served as chief executive of Lexington Strategic.

"I really had a great opportunity to work with a lot of great local officials and I always had a good relationship with Stow," he said.