Dan Troy

Dan Troy was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Troy served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1976. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton in 1970.[1]

Troy's career experience includes working as an air balance technician and project engineer at Kahoe Air Balance Company and Professional Balance Company and teaching state and local government courses at Lakeland Community College. He has served with the Northern Ohio Public Energy Council, the Lake County Wisdom Collaborative, the McKinley Center Food Bank, the Applewood Behavioral Centers, and the Chagrin River Watershed Partnership Board.[1]

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Candidate Conversations

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, and have lived in Lake County for 64 years. I am a graduate of the University of Dayton (B.A. in Political Science), a U.S. Army veteran, a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #33, have taught State and Local Government at the college level, and have served in elected public office at the municipal, state and county level for most of my life. I was a Willowick City Councilman and its Council President for 9 years, an Ohio State Representative for 14 years, and a Lake County Commissioner for 20 years. I served as the Ohio House Ways and Means Chairman, as President of the Ohio County Commissioners Association on two separate occasions, and as a member of the National Association of Counties Board of Directors.

I am committed to making government work respectfully, effectively and efficiently to improve the quality of life for its citizens through compromise and consensus. Government ensures that the core components of a civilized society are maintained and delivered; I take the responsibility to manage that

effort seriously.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My knowledge and experience gained at many levels of government will help me be a better representative.My record demonstrates that I work across the aisle in achieving compromise and consensus respectfully.My experience in budgetary and taxation issues is vital as we recover fiscally from the pandemic.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Budgetary issues, i.e. maintaining fiscal stability to insure essential services can be delivered.

Taxation policy review, modernization and reform - particularly in the property tax area.

Protecting the health of Lake Erie and its feeder watersheds.

A concern about the state and condition of our underground environmental infrastructure; our water and our sewer lines are aging and we can't keep kicking replacement down the road and imperiling the health

of our citizens.

Ohio is near last in what we spend to address abused and neglected children. We need to commit more

to protect this most vulnerable segment of our population.

Our state is aging rapidly, and scammers are everywhere preying on our seniors. I support more protections and a beefing up of our Adult Protective Services infrastructure.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Poltical figures like FDR, John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy.

FDR, because of his willingness and courage to take bold action to try and pull the nation out of the

Depression. I try to follow that example of decisive action in tough times.

JFK, because he brought a fresh spirit of youthfulness and vision (e.g. the Space Program) to a nation a bit in the doldrums. His wit and humor were great tools at breaking tension; I'm a firm believer that levity and a sense of humor help reach common ground and consensus.

Bobby Kennedy had a remarkable ability to understand people from diverse racial and economic backgrounds. The sincere empathy he demonstrated to those different populations Is a rare commodity in public leaders today, and I and others could do a great service to our society by emulating Bobby.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

A Team of Rivals as a book

Maybe Mr. Smith Goes to Washington as a film

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Always eager to learn more about the subject matter; the ability to work well and compromise with others, and the knowledge of how government at many levels works and the experience of having done so.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Communicate with your constituents and seek their input (representative government is a two-way street. Enact necessary laws and budgets, but in doing so, be diligent in doing the research, weigh the facts, be open to public input, and make the right decision.

Interact on behalf of your constituents with any state agencies with which they may be having an issue.

Facilitate proper and respectful oversight of executive branch agencies to insure that they are following legislative intent with their budget appropriations.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That wherever I served, I worked hard and improved the quality of life for the constituency that elected me.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Vaguely recall the 1956 Election (Eisenhower vs. Stevenson). I was 8.

More vividly recall the Russian launch of Sputnik in 1957. I was 9.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a newspaper carrier for the Lake County News-Herald. I delivered the daily afternoon paper for about 4 years while still in school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A Tale of Two Cities

I love historical novels, and Dickens captures the cause and folly of the French Revolution in excellent fashion.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Got to Get a Message to You by the BeeGees

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Being on time for meetings or events; quitting smoking (have now done so for 18 years).

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

Well, two year terms and four year terms for starters. Both House and Senate seats are population based, so,i don,t see a situation in either chamber where statewide policy would trump district constituent desires. The House initiates the budget process, but the Senate plays a greater role in executive branch oversight by virtue of its appointment confirmation powers.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I certainly do. All local governments in Ohio are creatures of state statute, and experience from serving at that level gives a legislator an "on the job"understanding of how the state can hurt or help the effective performance and delivery of services at that level. Entry level legislators tend to be more philosophical rather than pragmatic about the functions and day to day responsibilities of local governments. A state legislator might say "there ought to be a law"; a former local official has had to operate under those laws and has had to directly experience putting them into action. Also, prior experience in representing and responding to constituent concerns is a great apprenticeship for a state legislator.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Remaining fiscally stable in order to provide the essential state services and the pass-through funding to

schools, community colleges, heath care, children and adult protective services,, developmental disabilities and mental health community based agencies. Not only has Ohio's average wage been somewhat flat for some time, but we are also a rapidly aging state with an increasing percentage of retirees. We need to upgrade our economic capabilities while also modernizing our public service models

to coincide with more finite resources.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The Governor obviously propose the budget, which is the major public policy document that the Legislature processes. He can also be somewhat of a legislator by proposing programs and law changes to the Legislature. In all cases, i think there needs to be mutual respect between the two branches, realizing that the Governor is speaking and acting on behalf of the entire state, and in return, his understanding that you are analyzing proposals based on the impact to your district constituents. An ideal relationship requires open, honest and constant communication between the two branches of government.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. I did it during my previous service. You need 50 votes out of 99: it's much easier if you have a respectful relationship with your colleagues on both sides of the aisle. There will obviously be philosophical differences, and often divergent opinions, but it's essential to respect those opinions and the right to disagree. That, I believe, puts one in a position to explore give and take and some common ground with that colleague to possibly reach a compromise. If folks consider all the facts, and are willing to reason, common ground can be reached on a variety of issues.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

A fair one, that stresses compactness and minimal splitting up of communities and counties. Splintering or packing to create political advantage to one party or the other should not be condoned. Making sure that competitive districts are drawn will result in more consensus and common ground decision making, thus bringing about more compromise and better public policy development.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Finance and Appropriations - have always strove to be on that committee. The budget is the primary public policy document of the state, and that's the committee that processes it.

Ways and Means - always interested in as fair and as uniform of a tax code as possible that doesn't overburden or underburden any taxpayer. A civilized society requires core services, and their has to be a fair and effective method to generate the resources necessary to underwrite the cost of that.

Any committee charged with environmental oversight - we need to keep our Lake Erie healthy, properly treat wastewater, and dispose of our waste properly.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

There were several. Before term limits, there were certain legislators that were silos of expertise on certain subject matter. Bill Hinig and Pat Sweeney on budgets, Dean Conley on taxes and capital financing, Fred Deering on highways and bridges, Barney Quilter on general government. All were voices of reason, and I would aspire to that.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Would have liked to go to Congress, but, at my age, I,m content to once again be a State Representative.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Anytime that you receive a thank you from someone by being able to help them personally through a government program, or assist them in cutting the red tape of a bureaucracy, is memorable. I have enjoyed that expression of gratitude from numerous citizens over the years.