Any costs associated with this Web site are personally paid for by William J. Herald as an in-kind contribution to Herald for Council Committee, Karen R. Herald, Treasurer, 1030 Conneaut Ave., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
Re-Elect William J. Herald
Your Fourth Ward Council Member
... let experience and energetic hard-work continue to serve you ...
Welcome and Introduction
Thank you for visiting this Re-Elect Herald Your Fourth Ward Council Member Web site.
Although I was unopposed in my 2023 re-election race to continue to represent you as your Fourth Ward Council Member, I still knocked on over 1,000 doors. I know it helps me to better represent you. And, I really enjoy the chats, opportunities to hear your concerns and questions, and find out what's happening in the various neighborhoods. Thank you for your courtesy, input, and time!
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Much of this Web site is devoted to campaign items. But, I do want to take a moment to state my priorities for this next term (2024-2025). Please bear in mind that the priorities are based on my interactions with you as well as my fourteen years of Council experience. My priorities include: (1) Responsiveness to citizens; (2) Citizen safety; (3) Fiscal responsibility (prudent spending and proper economic development); (4) Street and sidewalk repair; (5) Drainage issues; (6) Neighborhood revitalization; and (7) Sustainability. I am gratified that the past few years Council has agreed with me to include “Increased emphasis on streets, sidewalks, and drainage” in our Council strategic priorities. I intend to “deep dive” into streets, sidewalk improvements, drainage issues, and greater use of sustainable energy while continuing to listen to, respect, and respond to residents. As always, please feel free to contact me (my contact information is below and can also be found by clicking on the above Contact tab).
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With thanks and appreciation to the residents of the Fourth Ward as well as to my wife, Karen, I was sworn in for the eighth time as Fourth Ward Council Member on January 2, 2024.
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As mentioned before, this Web site is meant to be informative and to provide additional means to contact me. It has the following sections:
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Welcome and Introduction: The layout of the Web site is given.
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Announcement: A copy of my press release announcing my run for re-election as your Fourth Ward Council Member.
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Family: A chance for me to show off my wonderful family!
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Why I'm Running: An explanation for my motivation for running. Spoiler alert: to serve you.
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Preparation & Service - Acrostic: An easy-to-remember highlight of what I bring to the position.
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Preparation & Service - Summary: A listing of my qualifications.
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Contact: There are numerous ways to contact me. Your input is vital in my service to you.
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Thank you for allowing me to represent you as your Fourth Ward Council Member. I take the responsibility seriously. I view the position as a public servant and the hard work I devote is to serve you.
I have served as your Fourth Ward City Council Member for fourteen years. This service to you spans portions of four decades (from 1984-1991 and 2018-current). This gives me a perspective that is both unique and helpful on Council.
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Please enjoy the Web site. And, definitely don't hesitate to contact me!
About a two-minute introductory video made two years ago. Some details have changed (e.g., election date); but, overall, it still holds true. Also, note that video should state: "Overall, I'm in my fourteenth year serving the citizens as Fourth Ward City Council Member. And, because of the times that I've been on Council, it actually spans portions of four decades.
Announcement
Herald Seeks to Continue Service as Fourth Ward Council Member
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Current Bowling Green Council Member William J. Herald filed his petitions today [January 23, 2023] to run for re-election to the Fourth Ward position on Bowling Green City Council.
Herald stated, “It has been an honor to serve the citizens as a Council Member for thirteen years (these past five years as well as during my previous eight years a while back). As the senior member of Council, I bring both current and past experience gained as an active Council Member for parts of four decades. (This institutional knowledge is particularly important since over half of the current Council individually have less than four years of experience.) Although my experience is valuable, it is amplified by the energy that I commit to the position. For example, last year I put in even more hours of service than any of my previous four years. Activities included: going door to door to interact with citizens, holding Fourth Ward quarterly meetings, attending 179 city-related meetings, advocating for increased spending on street and sidewalk repair, working hard for ARPA funding for non-profit organizations who serve those negatively affected by COVID (e.g., food pantries), and fashioning legislation for incentivizing residential renewable resources. I wish to continue to use both my experience and energy to enthusiastically serve Bowling Green residents.”
Herald emphasizes city/ward-level priorities which include: (1) assisting citizens in their interaction with their city government; (2) being vigilant in prudent budgeting and economic development; (3) increasing efficient and responsive city services including the very important safety forces; (4) improving neighborhoods, including streets, sidewalks, and drainage; (5) ensuring proper, appropriate zoning that takes citizen concerns and expectations into account; and (6) progressing in sustainability efforts.
Herald has held fifty-two quarterly meetings to allow citizens an additional forum to obtain updates and to voice concerns. Herald has also provided newsletters and questionnaires to communicate with citizens. He can be reached at: 419 352-6644, williamjherald@gmail.com, and www.williamjherald.org.
Herald has almost thirty years of business experience; including his previous position as a data scientist for First Solar. He is currently a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Computer Science; teaching analytics courses at the University of Findlay.
Herald’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science from BGSU, a Master of Science degree in Applied Statistics from BGSU, a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration/Policy from BGSU, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from Ohio State University.
Herald has been a Bowling Green resident for over forty-two years. He and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of Jonathan, who passed in 2020, Joel, and Amy. They are also grandparents to four grandchildren. Bill and Karen are long-time members of Covenant Church in Bowling Green.
Family
​I have been blessed with a wonderful family. Below is a family picture taken while our son, Jonathan, was still with us. Pictured from left to right are: granddaughters Ellie and Brooke, daughter-in-law Lesley, son Joel, Bill, wife Karen, son Jonathan, granddaughter Kaitlyn, daughter Amy, and grandson Zachary.
Why Am I Doing This (Running for Council)?
Why am I doing this? The answer’s quite simply to serve.
"I’ve always seen the job as being a public servant. The most important part of the job is helping the citizens. This service includes acting as an intermediary between the citizen and their local government. This service also includes actively going out and seeking citizen input as a vital part of the decision making process. This service includes thoroughly analyzing an issue before an important vote. And the service includes proactively identifying legitimate areas for improvement and fashioning a solution. Quite simply, I have a passion to serve. …
I’m prepared to passionately work hard serving the citizens of Bowling Green. I ask for the opportunity … to serve."
The video below was filmed while running for returning to Council. Much of the video is as applicable today as it was then. In fact, the above quote applied then and holds true today.
Preparation & Service - Acrostic
Preparation & Service - Summary
​Bowling Green City Council Experience
(14 years)
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Business
Experience
(almost 30 years)
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University-Level
Teaching
Experience
(12+ years)
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Education
(4 university degrees)
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Other Service to
Community
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Family
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In seventh year as current Fourth Ward City Council Member (2018-current).
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Chair of Transportation & Safety Council Committee;
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Member of Finance and Community Improvement Council Committees.
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Eight years previously serving and leading as Fourth Ward Council Member (1984-91).
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President Pro-Tem of Council;
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Served on every Council Committee;
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Actively sought citizen input.
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20+ years in research-related jobs, most recently Data Scientist with First Solar.
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5+ years with Owens-Corning, as Senior Systems Analyst.
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2+ years with Cooper Tire Company, as Corporate statistician.
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Currently full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Computer Science; teaching analytics at University of Findlay
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5 years as full-time instructor at Bowling Green State University (BGSU).
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6 years as full-time instructor at the University of Toledo (UT).
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Ph.D. from Ohio State University in Public Policy and Management.
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Master of Arts degree from BGSU in Public Administration/Policy.
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Master of Science degree from BGSU in Applied Statistics.
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Bachelor of Science degree from BGSU in Mathematics & Computer Science (cum laude).
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Regular attendance at Not in Our Town and East Side Residential Neighborhood Association meetings.
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Former Head Coach for youth baseball teams.
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Former 5th-6th grade Sunday School teacher.
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Married to Karen (47 years) with children Jonathan (passed in 2020), Joel, and Amy; daughter-in-law Lesley; and grandchildren Kaitlyn, Ellie, Brooke, and Zachary.
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Member of Bowling Green Covenant Church.
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Over 40+ year resident of Bowling Green.
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Contact
Address
1030 Conneaut Avenue
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
Phone Number
419 352-6644
Please feel free to contact me. I can be reached by any of the above or you can fill out the form below. The information will be sent to my e-mail address. I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you!
Oh, and if you wish a yard sign to be placed in your yard, please include that in your e-mail. We'd be glad to place it for you!