MUNROE FALLS: Finding ways to maintain services in a tough economy is a priority of mayoral and council candidates in this Summit County city of 5,100 people, where four nonpartisan posts will be decided Nov. 8.But several campaigns are also promoting the new “Town Center Plan” developed by Kent State University that would improve the central business district.Mayor Frank Larson seeks to fend off a challenge from longtime Councilwoman Cathy Laubaugh.Larson, 66, said that since becoming mayor in 2004, he has analyzed every department and city operation with an eye toward eliminating waste and increasing efficiency.“Continuing to provide services at the same top-notch levels during this terrible economy, and with the state continually reducing the amount of monies being returned to the local communities, means we must be very prudent in how the taxpayer money is spent,” Larson said.With the help of a “rolling five-year plan” that uses realistic budgets, the city has managed to increase its general fund balance “to the point where the city can weather this bad economy if the reserve is protected from misuse,” Larson said.Laubaugh, who owns Munroe Falls Travel, is completing her 12th year on City Council, where she has been chairwoman of the finance committee the past five years.Laubaugh, 62, said she won’t raise taxes and will work within the current budget while implementing parts of the Town Center Plan, including putting in sidewalks to improve access to businesses.She also wants to staff the Lehner House with volunteers for daytime activities for retirees and after-school homework help for students, and “re-establish regional communication and cooperation between neighboring communities for cost-efficient purchasing and sharing of resources.”City Council Voters must also choose between incumbent Bob Pitz and Brian Steinwedel for the Ward 2 council seat, as well as fill two at-large council posts from among six candidates: John Hegnauer, Bentley Hudson, Jim Iona, Russell Noble, Gary Toth and Nicole Welsh.The at-large incumbents are Toth, 57, a senior vice president at FirstMerit Bank, and Welsh, 38, an attorney at Welsh Law LLC.Both cited the need to balance the city budget as revenue wanes and demands for services rise.Welsh, a council member since 2008, said her priorities include “continuing protection of our water supply and other natural resources.”For Toth, a six-year veteran of council, economic development and maintenance of the city’s “wonderful park system” are high on his list.Hegnauer, 32, is a network engineer at Senior TV and seeking his first public office.“When I was a kid, I rode my bike along the trails and spent my summers swimming at Munroe Falls Metro Park. Now I’m raising my son here, and it’s important to me that our city maintains its beautiful parks and neighborhoods, steadily improves our home values and continues to provide clean, safe drinking water,” Hegnauer said.Hudson, 67, is a retired electrician who served on council from 1996 to 2004. Sticking to the city’s budget while developing the Town Center Plan is a priority, he said.“I believe this will help to make Munroe Falls a more financially stable city and allow us to continue to have outstanding safety forces,” he said. “I also believe it is in our city’s best interest to avoid partisan politics and I will work to achieve this.”Noble, 48, an information technology analyst, said he was motivated to seek his first public office in part because residents have told him city officials have not listened to their concerns.“I will advocate for opening communication between voters and City Council. I believe all voters have the right to be heard on issues affecting the Munroe Falls community,” he said. “I also expect to see an unprecedented period of growth created by establishing ‘business-friendly’ environments that are intentional for stimulating a strong local economy.”Iona could not be reached for comment. In Ward 2, the recently retired Pitz was appointed earlier this year to finish the term held by the late Puru Kanodia. He also served on council in 2006-2010.“My priorities ... have always been to best represent the residents of this city without the political posturing,” he said. “In this hard economic time, the financial welfare of the city and economic development must take priority.”His opponent, Brian Steinwedel, could not be reached for comment. Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.