August 19, 2024 • 19 mins
Kris Knapp is the new mayor of the city of Ontario. Kris was appointed to the role on August 1st and is excited to continue working for the city, where he has been the Safety Service Director since 2022. Knapp was born in Mansfield and grew up in Ontario. He is a graduate of Ontario High School and Ashland College. Kris was a long time teacher and coach at Ontario, along with being an athletic trainer. Knapp is married with two kids and shares more about him, and what is going on in Ontario, on the podcast.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The CEO You Should Know, brought to you by Roby
Foster Miller Eric Insurance. This week's CEO Ontario Mayor Chris Knapp.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Chris, good morning, Good morning, Aaron. Very excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Thank you for coming in and first of all, congratulations
on being named mayor.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
So let's dive in there. Maybe people who know about you,
maybe others don't. Let's kind of get a little bit
of the background. You're from this area, correct.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
That is correct.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I graduated from Ontario back in nineteen eighty four.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
I was involved in the.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Athletic training program. From there, I went to Ashland College
and graduated from there, came back to Ontario, was offered
a teaching position in nineteen eighty eight and started teaching
there and never left. Taught thirty three years at Ontario Schools.
Was the athletic trainer classes. I taught high school, middle
(01:00):
school health, physical education, athletic training, sports medicine, did a
little coaching basketball during that time. Even coached some track
athletes during the time I was there and had great
memories while I was at Ontario Schools.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Yeah, and you and I were talking before we turned
the microphones on. Just had some great years with Coach
Baylog in that basketball program.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
He is, he's top notch. He's he's He's taught me
a lot, even as as in the position I am today,
and I can't say enough about Coach Baylog and the
way he ran his program and the teams. I was
fortunate enough to be one of the assistants during that time,
as I called the glory days, when you know, we
were in the final four and in the regionals and
(01:44):
had a lot of great athletes, a lot of great
relationships that went on with that, and you know they
still continue on impact. As I was appointed two mayors,
was amazed. I was amazed the overwhelming number of students
that would reach out to me and text me congratulations
as far back to nineteen eighty eight, some of the students.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So I was very excited about that.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
That's going to make you feel good, don't it. You
impacted students' lives and they see all these years later
named mayor. That just has to bring the smile that
I'm seeing to your face right.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Now, It does it? Does?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
You know? They tease me, here you go, a small
town kid, just a trainer, you know, and then here
he is the mayor of the City of Ontario.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Some awesome story this morning. Learning about this week CEO
you should know and just recently name Mayor Chris snap
when officially got sworn in early August.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
August first, okay, yeah, I was appointed.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Okay, all right, so we're going to learn a little
more about that. You brought up coach Bailog. You know,
you've had a good run and then your name's on
the court, right absolutely, absolutely well Chris, as we learn
about you, let let's step back to the beginning and
where were you born.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Actually, I was born here in Mansfield and then from there.
My dad was in the personnel department at young and
obviously when when Ontario was you know developed there in
the early sixties, we were in Ontario. I have three
older brothers, all went to Ontario schools and my dad,
(03:14):
you know, he did a lot of the hiring at
General Motors. My mom worked at Sears and Roebuck. She
was the display person there. And you know, I know
they're looking down on me. They're very proud for the accomplishment.
And you know, that's how we come to Ontario. And
you know, as I said, I've never left.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
All right. So while we're on the topic of you
before we actually get to the city of Ontario. I
know you told me this off the year, but share
with our listeners. I know you're married, so I don't
know if you have any kids or not. But tell
us about Chris and the family a little bit.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Well.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Great, Yeah, My wife is also in Ontario, graduate Shelley.
She is a teacher in Lexington, teachers first grade and
as I've told you before, what she does with those
students six year olds is phenomenal, getting them to read
and learn things like that. It's amazing. Our oldest daughter,
(04:06):
Ali just recently moved back from Chicago. She works for
the Ridell football helmet company. She worked at their headquarters
and now is promoted to more of an off site
where she works remote. She oversees the state of Ohio,
New York, Pennsylvania, and a little bit of Canada. Now
she's really involved with the technology that's in the helmets,
(04:29):
the football helmets today. So she recently moved back to Ontario.
In fact, bought a house in Ontario. Realized it's cheaper
to live here in Ontario than it is to runt
a one bedroom apartment in Chicago. And our youngest daughter, Abby.
Abby lives in Piqua, Ohio. Now she works for a
(04:51):
marketing firm and we're excited that she is going to
be getting married next June. Her and her fiance Hayden,
very very successful and we're very proud of our children.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Awesome, awesome to hear about all. That's a lot of
wedding plans to come. Yes, probably already starting. Oh yeah, right, terrific.
Chris Napp is the voice you hear this morning. He
is this week's CEO. You should know. He's the new
mayor of Ontario. All right, so let's talk about that.
You know, Randy Hutchinson, who spent what ten ten and
a half years as the mayor, announced he was going
to step down. That was in July, and you were
(05:25):
appointed the new mayor. But but what made you, as
they would say, throw the hat in the ring and
run for mayor? Love to hear the story about that, well, a.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Couple of things. And I'm very fortunate. You know, Randy
Hutcheson is top notch individual. I can't say enough things
about what he has done for the city of Ontario,
and just as an individual, he and his wife Jamie
are carrying individuals for a lot of people, and when
I was getting ready to retire. Actually, when I retired,
(05:55):
Randy approached me about service safety director. His service director
Jeff Wilson, who another top individual, was retiring that year,
and he was like, Hey, you're retiring from the school.
You have a background and administration. I do have a
master's in administration, and with all your background and networking
of people, would you consider coming in and being the
(06:16):
service safety director. So originally I looked at that. You know,
that summer I came in and kind of worked with
Jeff for a little bit part time, and then I
was like, yeah, this is in my wheelhouse. A lot
of things go on as a service director. Was named
service director to start twenty twenty two, worked as that,
and then Randy came in, had an opportunity to move
(06:39):
on which he was looking to do that, and I'm
very excited for him and his new endeavors. And then
from there I look at this as an opportunity. My
wife and I both said this was never in our wheelhouse.
If you would ask us thirty three years ago that, hey,
you know you're going to be the mayor of Ontario,
I would have never ever thought of that, but I
look at it as an opportunity, and coming from a
(07:01):
teacher standpoint, you've always been there and the public always
wanted to serve and help kids, help people. And you
think about the number of people from just the students
to their parents and even some of the grandparents I
had with that this is just another opportunity that I
can help. You know, my hometown that I grew up in.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Yeah, you mentioned help people, you help students, You're helping
the public, right, everybody that lives.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
There exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
And then the network, I mean, that's what's amazing to
me is because you know, the students grew up. They
may move out of town, but they home is always
where they grew up. And the number of students that
I reach out to on a regular basis for assistance
on different things, just to get information or knowledge or
whatever it may be, to help and even been able
(07:48):
to help the city in a couple of things through
reaching out to my former students. So I'm very proud
of that.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And you will serve on the remaining term of Randy
Hutchinson then, which will run through twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Correct, correct, Yes, his term goes till December of twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
And you've already can you say that you're already planning to.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yes, I pulled the petition.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
I have to get my signatures on my petition and
then I will have that submitted so that my name
can be on the ballot for the may primary, and
then hopefully that'll go through, and then it'll be on
the November of twenty twenty five ballot, and then we
can continue as I promised the former mayor, Randy Hudgeson.
(08:31):
I promised to carry on, and I want to be
able to carry on a lot of the values that
he instilled in our city and then add some new
with that.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
All Right, We're going to talk a little bit about
what's happening in Ontario before we let him go. This morning,
great chat with Chris Napp, who is the mayor of Ontario.
This week's CEO. You should know. So a lot's happening
in town. We don't have enough time to go through everything,
but you and I were talking off their new grocery
store going in on lex spring Mill Road. But the talk,
yes is on Lex spring Mill there ever, raising.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Canes right, You're right, you're right, and That is probably
the most exciting part. You know, you take a look
at we're getting some new businesses come to Ontario. We
just had Culvers open up here and that's on the
north end of Ontario and then right in the heart
in the center there of Ford Street and lex Spring Mill,
the former Denny's building. Unfortunately, they are going to close,
(09:26):
and I know they've been there for many many years.
I know as a kid growing up that that was
the place. We're sad that they're leaving, but we're excited
that Caines stepped in and said, yeah, we'll take that
corner lot, and we're working with them. Obviously, traffic's concern,
or that's we're working with Canes and hopefully we'll get
(09:48):
all the plans finalized here in the upcoming month and
you're going to see some progress at that corner.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Is there any timeline on that have you heard ors?
It's still too early in terms of when it could
have fished be open. Would it be sometime next year
or is it too early to say exact?
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It all depends on getting the plans approved. And you know,
there's a demo permit, the demo of the Denny's building,
there's the you know, just the infrastructure is a big thing,
and getting you know, poles moved in the parking lot
reset and traffic in and out, how that pattern's going
to flow. So there's a lot of details that have
(10:25):
to get done, and our engineers are working with Canes
and they've done a great job communicating with us. In fact,
when I leave here today, I'm going to be on
a conversation with them again. So you know, we are
working as hard as we can to get them moving,
but we don't want to rush it because you know,
it's important to do it right the first time.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Yeah, I think a lot of people don't realize, you know,
what all has to happen. You mentioned just polls, different things.
You think about traffic, there's construction, there's an old building,
there's a new ability, There's a lot going on. It's
easier said than done right exactly.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
And you know, from the public standpoint, they want that
building open, they want to get the chicken and the bread,
and we do too. I mean, we're excited for them,
but there's also a lot of other great things going
on in Ontario. You know, we're working very diligently with
the owners of the former GM property. You know, obviously
the big thing there is to get power onto that property.
(11:19):
If we can get power onto that property, and we're
working very hard with them to get that substation built
so that we can get buildings on the former General
Motors property we have as you see the street paving
going on. We have two neighborhoods that we're doing this
fall with the Willow Wood Rosewood neighborhood and then we'll
be going over to the Maryloo Lane neighborhood. We have
(11:41):
some patchwork that we'll end up doing on Park Avenue.
As you know the lex Spring Mill water line that
was put in this year and then we've recently resurfaced
that that project is now complete. I think it looks
very good coming into our city. Great things going on
in Ontario. Hearing from the Mayor this morning, Chris Snapp,
this week's CEO. You should know, and there's more things
(12:03):
to come.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
We just can't give it all away right now, right
because you guys are working on a lot of things
that once you're able to announce it to the public,
well exactly.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
And I do know that we have more businesses wanting
to come to Ontario. We just we need to work
out the details so it all fits the locations where
they want to go. We're very excited about, you know,
hopefully upcoming news our infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We're working on that.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
We're putting a new sewer line at the north end
of town just off a Walker Lake Road in the
spring Village area, So that's going to be happening in
this fall. And a lot of great things very excited
about for the city of Ontario, especially you know, growing up,
I grew up in that city before lex spring Mill
was all business. You know, now it's it's it's developed
(12:46):
and you know even the old Ontario they call it
there by the school, our parks and I have to
give a council in our in our Parks committee and
Randy credit.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
You know, they developed our parks.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
I think it's the nicest park around and we want
to maintain that. But then we want to add to that,
you know, into the area of Shelby Ontario Park Avenue
and kind of developed that area a little bit.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah, there was turf ball fields out there at Marshall Park.
Boy tho those are used a lot, and I know
that has been really popular because of there's any type
of rain and things guess what. They're still able to
play ball out there, which is a great thing for you.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Yes, and not only that, but we also have the
lights so they can play in the evening. You know,
that was part of that whole project. We have concerts
in the park. So I'm excited for the concerts in
the park at this time of year, bringing people still outside,
you know, into our area. And you know, our Fourth
of July, I think is phenomenal. That Fourth of July
committee works very hard at putting things on for our
(13:48):
entire community and that's what's important. You know, Ontario is
part of the entire community. And I'm excited. I've had
a lot of the representatives reach out to me throughout
the community, means Field, Shelby, Lexington. I am very excited
to work with all the communities that surround Ontario and
you know, make Richmond County even better than what it
(14:09):
is today.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
And don't forget about a splash pad for the kids
and families as well.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, we have that be a big hit.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Yeah, it's been huge, and I'm glad to see the
other communities opening some flash pads also to kind of
release some of the numbers that we have at ours
because it's sometimes unfortunately gets overcrowded. But I guess when
something's good like this, everybody wants to go to.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
That's a good thing. Well, I know I got to
let him go, but I got just a couple more
quick questions. Chris snap new Mayor of Ontario. This week's CEO.
You should know with us in studio overall ballpark employees
for the City of Ontario, did you have a ballpark
number for us?
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Well, if you add you know, our police, are administrative staff,
and our service employees. I want to say we're just
over eighty employees, somewhere in that between eighty and you know,
ninety employees there. I was sworn in by council on Wednesday,
and Thursday morning I had for my first staff meeting
with our administrative staff and service employees. I'm going to
(15:07):
have the staff meeting with the police here next week
when they all can be there at the same time,
and that was very refreshing. You know, communication is huge,
open lines of communication, and that's one thing I want
to make sure that we establish from the get go.
I knew that from teaching is keeping the lines of
communication open throughout the city, not only with the employees,
(15:31):
but from the city and community to us also.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Yeah, Chris, I was going to ask you that next.
You know, being a teacher, being an administrator, you worked
in sports, communication, you mentioned, you know, and I'm sure
I'm assuming all of the roles you've had have to
help you in being mayor, right, I mean, you think
about all the you know, just you think about relationships
and different things. Communication, you keep going back to that,
(15:56):
but all this has to help you in the role.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
It does, and you talk to someone former students.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
One of the lessons I used to teach was just
about networking and how important it is the network. You know,
I always tell people I'm not the smartest individual, but
I can surround myself with some very intelligent people and
through communicating that, we all as a team can work
together and come up with that positive goal that we're
(16:21):
trying to accomplish. And so that is so important.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
All right, last thing before I let you go. We've
talked about where you're from Ontario, and of course your
background now being mayor, what do you do in your
spare time when you are not and you mentioned, you know,
former teacher and very involved in sports. You know, wife's
to teach a couple of kids. But now for you,
what do you do when you are not working? What
(16:44):
do you have for hobbies?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Well? I do mo.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
You know, I mowed some properties that I just enjoy.
In fact, my wife will tell me, Ony, don't you
just go moh and that way you can think about
what you need to do and so forth. So I
do spend a lot of time on the mower. I
do like to play golf when I can, but I've
only been able to get out what twice this year,
so I need to get out. But more importantly, it's
just family. I really enjoyed, you know, spending time just
(17:10):
on our back patio. We just recently got a new puppy,
so I know that's going to enjoy some time with us.
But you know, family is first and foremost with what
we do, and anytime I can spend time with my family,
that is most important.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
As I let you go, you talked about former students
reaching out being named mayor. You don't have to throw
out any names unless you want to. But I know
other people that you know, you know, in different roles
in the community, have reached out to congratulate you.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Yes, as I said, the number of texts and phone
calls that I received from former students, clearback from when
I first started and even when I coached. I thought
it was kind of funny that some of my former
athletes that I coached would send me a text on
some of the quotes that I even used when I
was coaching them to motivate them, and they sent that
to me.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
I will say that some.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Of the cards I received, Even former Superintendent Mike Zigglehaffer
sent me a card I was very touched by. And
you know, my wife teaching at Lexington, our kids going
to Ontario, my wife that went to Ontario. Also, he
knew the importance of home and his card was very
touching and I greatly appreciated.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
All Right, as I let you go. Chris Napp, new
Mayor of Ontario, this week's CEO. You should know if
somebody has a question they want more information, I'm sure
you would say, right, hey, you know, you guys are
located on you know, Stumbo Road. Call check out the
website right if they want to have any type of question.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Right, We're going on and we're working on getting the
website updated. My email mayor at Ontario Ohio dot org.
You know if you send me an email or if
you call into city Hall and ask to speak to
the mayor. If I'm not there, I just recently changed
the voicemail, so you can leave me a message and
I'll be happy to get back with you.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
I can tell you he's already busy. He was walking
in the studio and the phone was ringing.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Yes, it's a busy Monday morning.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Well, I appreciate your time coming in. Chris snap new
mayor of Ontario. We really thank you for a great
visit and we wish you continued success. Thank you erin Ontario,
Mayor Chris Knapp. The CEO you should know rid a bio.
See a photo and here the extended interview at wm
A n FM dot com.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Leading means having a vision and sharing it with others.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
I'm John Roby of RFI Insurance.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
We're excited to bring you this program featuring CEOs from
our area who will share the thoughts and what it
means to work and live in north central Ohio.
The CEO You Should Know, brought to you by Roby
Foster Miller Eric Insurance. This week's CEO Ontario Mayor Chris Knapp.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Chris, good morning, Good morning, Aaron. Very excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Thank you for coming in and first of all, congratulations
on being named mayor.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
So let's dive in there. Maybe people who know about you,
maybe others don't. Let's kind of get a little bit
of the background. You're from this area, correct.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
That is correct.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I graduated from Ontario back in nineteen eighty four.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
I was involved in the.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Athletic training program. From there, I went to Ashland College
and graduated from there, came back to Ontario, was offered
a teaching position in nineteen eighty eight and started teaching
there and never left. Taught thirty three years at Ontario Schools.
Was the athletic trainer classes. I taught high school, middle
(01:00):
school health, physical education, athletic training, sports medicine, did a
little coaching basketball during that time. Even coached some track
athletes during the time I was there and had great
memories while I was at Ontario Schools.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Yeah, and you and I were talking before we turned
the microphones on. Just had some great years with Coach
Baylog in that basketball program.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
He is, he's top notch. He's he's He's taught me
a lot, even as as in the position I am today,
and I can't say enough about Coach Baylog and the
way he ran his program and the teams. I was
fortunate enough to be one of the assistants during that time,
as I called the glory days, when you know, we
were in the final four and in the regionals and
(01:44):
had a lot of great athletes, a lot of great
relationships that went on with that, and you know they
still continue on impact. As I was appointed two mayors,
was amazed. I was amazed the overwhelming number of students
that would reach out to me and text me congratulations
as far back to nineteen eighty eight, some of the students.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So I was very excited about that.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
That's going to make you feel good, don't it. You
impacted students' lives and they see all these years later
named mayor. That just has to bring the smile that
I'm seeing to your face right.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Now, It does it? Does?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
You know? They tease me, here you go, a small
town kid, just a trainer, you know, and then here
he is the mayor of the City of Ontario.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Some awesome story this morning. Learning about this week CEO
you should know and just recently name Mayor Chris snap
when officially got sworn in early August.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
August first, okay, yeah, I was appointed.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Okay, all right, so we're going to learn a little
more about that. You brought up coach Bailog. You know,
you've had a good run and then your name's on
the court, right absolutely, absolutely well Chris, as we learn
about you, let let's step back to the beginning and
where were you born.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Actually, I was born here in Mansfield and then from there.
My dad was in the personnel department at young and
obviously when when Ontario was you know developed there in
the early sixties, we were in Ontario. I have three
older brothers, all went to Ontario schools and my dad,
(03:14):
you know, he did a lot of the hiring at
General Motors. My mom worked at Sears and Roebuck. She
was the display person there. And you know, I know
they're looking down on me. They're very proud for the accomplishment.
And you know, that's how we come to Ontario. And
you know, as I said, I've never left.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
All right. So while we're on the topic of you
before we actually get to the city of Ontario. I
know you told me this off the year, but share
with our listeners. I know you're married, so I don't
know if you have any kids or not. But tell
us about Chris and the family a little bit.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Well.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Great, Yeah, My wife is also in Ontario, graduate Shelley.
She is a teacher in Lexington, teachers first grade and
as I've told you before, what she does with those
students six year olds is phenomenal, getting them to read
and learn things like that. It's amazing. Our oldest daughter,
(04:06):
Ali just recently moved back from Chicago. She works for
the Ridell football helmet company. She worked at their headquarters
and now is promoted to more of an off site
where she works remote. She oversees the state of Ohio,
New York, Pennsylvania, and a little bit of Canada. Now
she's really involved with the technology that's in the helmets,
(04:29):
the football helmets today. So she recently moved back to Ontario.
In fact, bought a house in Ontario. Realized it's cheaper
to live here in Ontario than it is to runt
a one bedroom apartment in Chicago. And our youngest daughter, Abby.
Abby lives in Piqua, Ohio. Now she works for a
(04:51):
marketing firm and we're excited that she is going to
be getting married next June. Her and her fiance Hayden,
very very successful and we're very proud of our children.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Awesome, awesome to hear about all. That's a lot of
wedding plans to come. Yes, probably already starting. Oh yeah, right, terrific.
Chris Napp is the voice you hear this morning. He
is this week's CEO. You should know. He's the new
mayor of Ontario. All right, so let's talk about that.
You know, Randy Hutchinson, who spent what ten ten and
a half years as the mayor, announced he was going
to step down. That was in July, and you were
(05:25):
appointed the new mayor. But but what made you, as
they would say, throw the hat in the ring and
run for mayor? Love to hear the story about that, well, a.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Couple of things. And I'm very fortunate. You know, Randy
Hutcheson is top notch individual. I can't say enough things
about what he has done for the city of Ontario,
and just as an individual, he and his wife Jamie
are carrying individuals for a lot of people, and when
I was getting ready to retire. Actually, when I retired,
(05:55):
Randy approached me about service safety director. His service director
Jeff Wilson, who another top individual, was retiring that year,
and he was like, Hey, you're retiring from the school.
You have a background and administration. I do have a
master's in administration, and with all your background and networking
of people, would you consider coming in and being the
(06:16):
service safety director. So originally I looked at that. You know,
that summer I came in and kind of worked with
Jeff for a little bit part time, and then I
was like, yeah, this is in my wheelhouse. A lot
of things go on as a service director. Was named
service director to start twenty twenty two, worked as that,
and then Randy came in, had an opportunity to move
(06:39):
on which he was looking to do that, and I'm
very excited for him and his new endeavors. And then
from there I look at this as an opportunity. My
wife and I both said this was never in our wheelhouse.
If you would ask us thirty three years ago that, hey,
you know you're going to be the mayor of Ontario,
I would have never ever thought of that, but I
look at it as an opportunity, and coming from a
(07:01):
teacher standpoint, you've always been there and the public always
wanted to serve and help kids, help people. And you
think about the number of people from just the students
to their parents and even some of the grandparents I
had with that this is just another opportunity that I
can help. You know, my hometown that I grew up in.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Yeah, you mentioned help people, you help students, You're helping
the public, right, everybody that lives.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
There exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
And then the network, I mean, that's what's amazing to
me is because you know, the students grew up. They
may move out of town, but they home is always
where they grew up. And the number of students that
I reach out to on a regular basis for assistance
on different things, just to get information or knowledge or
whatever it may be, to help and even been able
(07:48):
to help the city in a couple of things through
reaching out to my former students. So I'm very proud
of that.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And you will serve on the remaining term of Randy
Hutchinson then, which will run through twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Correct, correct, Yes, his term goes till December of twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
And you've already can you say that you're already planning to.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yes, I pulled the petition.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
I have to get my signatures on my petition and
then I will have that submitted so that my name
can be on the ballot for the may primary, and
then hopefully that'll go through, and then it'll be on
the November of twenty twenty five ballot, and then we
can continue as I promised the former mayor, Randy Hudgeson.
(08:31):
I promised to carry on, and I want to be
able to carry on a lot of the values that
he instilled in our city and then add some new
with that.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
All Right, We're going to talk a little bit about
what's happening in Ontario before we let him go. This morning,
great chat with Chris Napp, who is the mayor of Ontario.
This week's CEO. You should know. So a lot's happening
in town. We don't have enough time to go through everything,
but you and I were talking off their new grocery
store going in on lex spring Mill Road. But the talk,
yes is on Lex spring Mill there ever, raising.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Canes right, You're right, you're right, and That is probably
the most exciting part. You know, you take a look
at we're getting some new businesses come to Ontario. We
just had Culvers open up here and that's on the
north end of Ontario and then right in the heart
in the center there of Ford Street and lex Spring Mill,
the former Denny's building. Unfortunately, they are going to close,
(09:26):
and I know they've been there for many many years.
I know as a kid growing up that that was
the place. We're sad that they're leaving, but we're excited
that Caines stepped in and said, yeah, we'll take that
corner lot, and we're working with them. Obviously, traffic's concern,
or that's we're working with Canes and hopefully we'll get
(09:48):
all the plans finalized here in the upcoming month and
you're going to see some progress at that corner.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Is there any timeline on that have you heard ors?
It's still too early in terms of when it could
have fished be open. Would it be sometime next year
or is it too early to say exact?
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It all depends on getting the plans approved. And you know,
there's a demo permit, the demo of the Denny's building,
there's the you know, just the infrastructure is a big thing,
and getting you know, poles moved in the parking lot
reset and traffic in and out, how that pattern's going
to flow. So there's a lot of details that have
(10:25):
to get done, and our engineers are working with Canes
and they've done a great job communicating with us. In fact,
when I leave here today, I'm going to be on
a conversation with them again. So you know, we are
working as hard as we can to get them moving,
but we don't want to rush it because you know,
it's important to do it right the first time.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Yeah, I think a lot of people don't realize, you know,
what all has to happen. You mentioned just polls, different things.
You think about traffic, there's construction, there's an old building,
there's a new ability, There's a lot going on. It's
easier said than done right exactly.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
And you know, from the public standpoint, they want that
building open, they want to get the chicken and the bread,
and we do too. I mean, we're excited for them,
but there's also a lot of other great things going
on in Ontario. You know, we're working very diligently with
the owners of the former GM property. You know, obviously
the big thing there is to get power onto that property.
(11:19):
If we can get power onto that property, and we're
working very hard with them to get that substation built
so that we can get buildings on the former General
Motors property we have as you see the street paving
going on. We have two neighborhoods that we're doing this
fall with the Willow Wood Rosewood neighborhood and then we'll
be going over to the Maryloo Lane neighborhood. We have
(11:41):
some patchwork that we'll end up doing on Park Avenue.
As you know the lex Spring Mill water line that
was put in this year and then we've recently resurfaced
that that project is now complete. I think it looks
very good coming into our city. Great things going on
in Ontario. Hearing from the Mayor this morning, Chris Snapp,
this week's CEO. You should know, and there's more things
(12:03):
to come.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
We just can't give it all away right now, right
because you guys are working on a lot of things
that once you're able to announce it to the public,
well exactly.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
And I do know that we have more businesses wanting
to come to Ontario. We just we need to work
out the details so it all fits the locations where
they want to go. We're very excited about, you know,
hopefully upcoming news our infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We're working on that.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
We're putting a new sewer line at the north end
of town just off a Walker Lake Road in the
spring Village area, So that's going to be happening in
this fall. And a lot of great things very excited
about for the city of Ontario, especially you know, growing up,
I grew up in that city before lex spring Mill
was all business. You know, now it's it's it's developed
(12:46):
and you know even the old Ontario they call it
there by the school, our parks and I have to
give a council in our in our Parks committee and
Randy credit.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
You know, they developed our parks.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
I think it's the nicest park around and we want
to maintain that. But then we want to add to that,
you know, into the area of Shelby Ontario Park Avenue
and kind of developed that area a little bit.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah, there was turf ball fields out there at Marshall Park.
Boy tho those are used a lot, and I know
that has been really popular because of there's any type
of rain and things guess what. They're still able to
play ball out there, which is a great thing for you.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Yes, and not only that, but we also have the
lights so they can play in the evening. You know,
that was part of that whole project. We have concerts
in the park. So I'm excited for the concerts in
the park at this time of year, bringing people still outside,
you know, into our area. And you know, our Fourth
of July, I think is phenomenal. That Fourth of July
committee works very hard at putting things on for our
(13:48):
entire community and that's what's important. You know, Ontario is
part of the entire community. And I'm excited. I've had
a lot of the representatives reach out to me throughout
the community, means Field, Shelby, Lexington. I am very excited
to work with all the communities that surround Ontario and
you know, make Richmond County even better than what it
(14:09):
is today.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
And don't forget about a splash pad for the kids
and families as well.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, we have that be a big hit.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Yeah, it's been huge, and I'm glad to see the
other communities opening some flash pads also to kind of
release some of the numbers that we have at ours
because it's sometimes unfortunately gets overcrowded. But I guess when
something's good like this, everybody wants to go to.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
That's a good thing. Well, I know I got to
let him go, but I got just a couple more
quick questions. Chris snap new Mayor of Ontario. This week's CEO.
You should know with us in studio overall ballpark employees
for the City of Ontario, did you have a ballpark
number for us?
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Well, if you add you know, our police, are administrative staff,
and our service employees. I want to say we're just
over eighty employees, somewhere in that between eighty and you know,
ninety employees there. I was sworn in by council on Wednesday,
and Thursday morning I had for my first staff meeting
with our administrative staff and service employees. I'm going to
(15:07):
have the staff meeting with the police here next week
when they all can be there at the same time,
and that was very refreshing. You know, communication is huge,
open lines of communication, and that's one thing I want
to make sure that we establish from the get go.
I knew that from teaching is keeping the lines of
communication open throughout the city, not only with the employees,
(15:31):
but from the city and community to us also.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Yeah, Chris, I was going to ask you that next.
You know, being a teacher, being an administrator, you worked
in sports, communication, you mentioned, you know, and I'm sure
I'm assuming all of the roles you've had have to
help you in being mayor, right, I mean, you think
about all the you know, just you think about relationships
and different things. Communication, you keep going back to that,
(15:56):
but all this has to help you in the role.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
It does, and you talk to someone former students.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
One of the lessons I used to teach was just
about networking and how important it is the network. You know,
I always tell people I'm not the smartest individual, but
I can surround myself with some very intelligent people and
through communicating that, we all as a team can work
together and come up with that positive goal that we're
(16:21):
trying to accomplish. And so that is so important.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
All right, last thing before I let you go. We've
talked about where you're from Ontario, and of course your
background now being mayor, what do you do in your
spare time when you are not and you mentioned, you know,
former teacher and very involved in sports. You know, wife's
to teach a couple of kids. But now for you,
what do you do when you are not working? What
(16:44):
do you have for hobbies?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Well? I do mo.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
You know, I mowed some properties that I just enjoy.
In fact, my wife will tell me, Ony, don't you
just go moh and that way you can think about
what you need to do and so forth. So I
do spend a lot of time on the mower. I
do like to play golf when I can, but I've
only been able to get out what twice this year,
so I need to get out. But more importantly, it's
just family. I really enjoyed, you know, spending time just
(17:10):
on our back patio. We just recently got a new puppy,
so I know that's going to enjoy some time with us.
But you know, family is first and foremost with what
we do, and anytime I can spend time with my family,
that is most important.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
As I let you go, you talked about former students
reaching out being named mayor. You don't have to throw
out any names unless you want to. But I know
other people that you know, you know, in different roles
in the community, have reached out to congratulate you.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Yes, as I said, the number of texts and phone
calls that I received from former students, clearback from when
I first started and even when I coached. I thought
it was kind of funny that some of my former
athletes that I coached would send me a text on
some of the quotes that I even used when I
was coaching them to motivate them, and they sent that
to me.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
I will say that some.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Of the cards I received, Even former Superintendent Mike Zigglehaffer
sent me a card I was very touched by. And
you know, my wife teaching at Lexington, our kids going
to Ontario, my wife that went to Ontario. Also, he
knew the importance of home and his card was very
touching and I greatly appreciated.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
All Right, as I let you go. Chris Napp, new
Mayor of Ontario, this week's CEO. You should know if
somebody has a question they want more information, I'm sure
you would say, right, hey, you know, you guys are
located on you know, Stumbo Road. Call check out the
website right if they want to have any type of question.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Right, We're going on and we're working on getting the
website updated. My email mayor at Ontario Ohio dot org.
You know if you send me an email or if
you call into city Hall and ask to speak to
the mayor. If I'm not there, I just recently changed
the voicemail, so you can leave me a message and
I'll be happy to get back with you.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
I can tell you he's already busy. He was walking
in the studio and the phone was ringing.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Yes, it's a busy Monday morning.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Well, I appreciate your time coming in. Chris snap new
mayor of Ontario. We really thank you for a great
visit and we wish you continued success. Thank you erin Ontario,
Mayor Chris Knapp. The CEO you should know rid a bio.
See a photo and here the extended interview at wm
A n FM dot com.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Leading means having a vision and sharing it with others.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
I'm John Roby of RFI Insurance.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
We're excited to bring you this program featuring CEOs from
our area who will share the thoughts and what it
means to work and live in north central Ohio.
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