Mark Hollenbaugh has filed petitions with the Wood County Board of Elections and is running for election to the First Ward Council seat to which he was appointed last November.
Hollenbaugh has been a resident of Bowling Green for more than 35 years, is a graduate of Bowling Green High School, and received both his BA and MA from Bowling Green State University.
His vision for the city of Bowling Green has been honed over a lifetime of service. After serving a previous term as the First Ward council member, he continued to serve as a member of the city planning commission and as a board member of the Wood County Historical Society. He is also on the executive committee for the Eastside Residential Neighborhood Group and the Wood County Democratic Party.
Hollenbaugh serves as union president of the North Baltimore Educational Association and has taught history and government at NBHS for 20 years.
Hollenbaugh said it has always been his priority to listen to all of his constituents and work on their behalf to achieve positive results. He looks at all sides of an issue and seeks solutions in the best interest of the entire community.
Among the many issues facing the community, Hollenbaugh said he would particularly like to see the city government address the following: 1. Application of the city’s land use plan with a focus on revitalizing our neighborhoods. 2. Increased collaboration between government, business, and education.
He plans to utilize the guiding principles of the Community Action Plan (CAP) focusing on the quality of neighborhoods. He believes these principles are vital for the sustained and healthy growth of the city of Bowling Green. As a member of the Planning Commission he has used CAP as a decision making tool since its inception.
According to Hollenbaugh, as the state legislature continues to disrespect home rule, and cut funds to local governments, the City of Bowling Green will face difficult funding choices, which will require the city to weigh the cost and benefits of every decision.
