Candidate for
Council Member; City of Blue Ash

I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and I attended Pleasant Ridge Elementary, Shroder and graduated from Woodward High School. While in school, I worked for the family business as an Electrical Contractor. I attended the University of Cincinnati for Mechanical Engineering, but eventually left school to run the family business, the Werden Electric Company.

In 1988, I married Nancy and we started our family with Clayton IV in December of 1989. Ricky joined the family in 1991, Monica in 1996, and Robert in 1998. In June of 1994, we moved to Blue Ash for the community and the Sycamore School System. Tragedy struck our family in 1996 when Clayton IV was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia and died in January of 1997 at the age of 7. After Clayton died, my priorities change towards family and my community.

With my new outlook on life, I had decided to become involved in the community of Blue Ash and volunteer my time. I was then asked to join the Special Events Committee for Blue Ash. I have been President & Vice President of the Ravenwood Association, an Associate Member of Hamilton County Fire Chiefs Association, and a current member of the GCEA. I am an active PTA Volunteer for Market Day and have volunteered for Ohio Reads and Blue Ash Elementary School Supplies. I was part of the Playground Committee, a photographer for Sycamore Youth Football, and a member of the "chain gang" for Aviator Football. As a committee of two, we convinced the Sycamore School Board to stop construction on the old Blue Ash Elementary and build a new school in Blue Ash.

My proudest moment is when I was privileged enough to give back to our Veterans a fraction of what they gave to our Country & City. I originated a referendum that stopped our council from giving the Veterans Memorial & Towne Square to a developer. The turning point for my decision to run for Council was when a current Council Member looked directly at me and stated he still wanted to move the Veterans Memorial, even after the referendum. I am running for City Council because I want to preserve and expand our Towne Square, revitalize our downtown area, and represent the opinions of our citizens.