Names in the News: Scott Coleman

Name: Scott Coleman

Occupation: Manager in Progressive Insurance tax department since 1989, campaign treasurer for Rep. Steve LaTourette since 1993 and mayor of Highland Heights since 2004.

Hometown: He and his wife, Martha, both grew up in Highland Heights. They bought their first house together in Willowick and moved back four years later. "The market was booming. We had to be prepared to make a bid on it that day. There were five buyers there and all were over the asking price."

What he likes about Highland Heights: "Having lived here so long, I've gotten to know so many people and so many different types of people. Growing up, I worked at the Shell station at Bishop and Wilson Mills. I still see people who used to change their oil there. It seems like such a family-oriented place."

Civic involvement: Both Scott and Martha have served on groups at St. Paschal Baylon Church – he was a PTO member and treasurer of athletics for 13 years. "That's where I spend much of my time."

Why he studied accounting: "My dad was an accountant. I always wanted to be like him. But it's not like he pushed me. I like working with numbers. I like the fact that there's a definite answer. You also have the ability to be analytical with it."

How he became involved in politics: "A friend was campaign manager for Mike Wise when he ran for state representative. He was working for then-County Prosecutor Steve LaTourette's campaign and they needed a treasurer. My buddy ask me if I wanted to do this. I started attending events he had to go to. When I moved back here I went to every meeting for two years before I ran for council."

His proudest accomplishment: Decreasing the city's amount of debt – "When I ran for office my biggest goal was to use any financial knowledge I had for the good of the city. The city had taken on too much debt. Not to criticize (former mayor) Fran Hogg, she did what she had to do."

What he wishes people understood about the job of mayor: "I'm often asked by businesses or residents to do this thing. Someone might want a shed and was told by the building department it could only be this big and they tell me, 'I want it this big.' The rules are in place to not allow things like that. I don't have as much discretion as people think I do and that's the way it should be."

What he wants people to know about him: "My world is my wife and my kids. It brings me the greatest joy watching them do their sports."