Larry Kinnan Running for Mayor of Stow

A lifelong Stow and Munroe Falls resident and graduate of the city's school district is making a first-time election run for Stow mayor.

Larry Kinnan, 53, said living in the area his entire life is what gives him "depth in understanding the positives and negatives over the years and the vision for the city."

It's Kinnan's first attempt at serving public office, but he said he is "pleased that we have four very diverse candidates to give the resients a wide choice for who they would like to lead the city as we move into this critial time for our city and county." 

The at-home principal technologist for avionics and safety critical systems said, "While I am a first time candidate, I bring a fresh, untainted view to the city and its operations. This coupled with my experience [at California-based Wind River] in logical decision making provides me with the skill set needed to lead the city. Solid, real world business experience is also a plus."

Kinnan's focus is going to be on long-term growth and financial stability, if elected.

"With the budgetary actinos taking place at the federal and state levels, Stow must position itself to be financially sound in both the short- and long-term to enable the city to continue serving the residents," he said. "By placing the city on solid financial ground, we can then attract investment in our community to increase job potential through thoughtful and careful growth that won't overwhelm the city infrastructure and createadditional issues."

Growth in the community would provide several benefits, he said. 

"Unbridled growth could create a situation where the city infrastructure such as schools, roads, water and vital city services could be overwhelmed. Focusing on those vital areas is one of my primary goals should I be elected along with a comprehensive review of the financial situation of the city to insure tax payer dollars are being utilized to their maximum benefit for the residents," said Kinnan.

Although Kinnan believes some changes need to be made in the city, he also likes several things about Stow, which is another reason he is running.

"I enjoy the small town feel of Stow and value the sense of community that abounds here," he said. "Being a lifelong resident of the area I have come to value that in Stow. I also enjoy our local businesses and their community involvement — a valuable asset for our community."

Larry Kinnan is a principal technologist for avionics and safety critical systems for Wind River.  He is a 1975 graduate, received a certificate of completion for Electronics through a vocational program and majored in Math and English. Kinnan attended the University of Akron and Kent State University. Kinnan has lived in Stow for the last 18 years and lived in Munroe Falls prior to that. He and his wife, Renata, have two children: Michael and  Nicole, both graduates of the SMF High School.