ASHLAND — Debates and policy statements tend to run together over a long election cycle. Most of what a candidate will tell you sounds good on paper, but it’s extremely difficult to determine who will actually follow through and bring about great change to the community.
Here is a chance to see the character behind the candidate with 12 simple questions that, from a psychological perspective, can show you more about your future mayor than a policy debate ever could.
Both candidates were given the same list of questions to answer. Get a better understanding of the person behind the yard sign through their answers and see how they relate to you.
1. Favorite ice cream flavor? Waffle or sugar cone or bowl?
Matt Miller: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough in a bowl with Peanut Butter Sauce and lots of Whipped Cream!
Sandra Tunnell: Neapolitan, in a bowl.
2. What outdoor activities to you enjoy?
Sandra Tunnell: Horseback riding, gardening, exploring nature, pushing my daughter on the swings.
Matt Miller: I enjoy working on my lawn & landscaping, and spending time at Charles Mill Lake and Lake Erie.
3. Do you like sports? If so, what teams?
Matt Miller: I am an Ashland University Eagles Sports fan & Cleveland Sports fan!
Sandra Tunnell: I’m a huge football fan (years of marching band gives you lots of time to learn about the game) — Cleveland Fusion (Cleveland’s professional women’s football team, where I played guard), the Browns, Mizzou.
4. You can only eat one meal the rest of your life, what is it?
Sandra Tunnell: Brisket that my husband has smoked.
Matt Miller: Truthfully…PIZZA! It’s not too glamorous, but I do love it! But if I wanted to be healthy for the rest of my life I would choose grilled salmon with grilled vegetables and a sweet potato…with lots of butter!
5. Tell us about a “bad day” you’ve had.
Matt Miller: I don’t want to think about it.
Sandra Tunnell: I’m a pretty upbeat person, so I don’t have bad days – maybe a bad moment, and I snap out of it pretty quickly. I had a meeting in Columbus today and was late because I was stuck in traffic. I was upset, then I remembered that’s one of the many reasons I love Ashland – the 5-minute rush hour! – so I cranked up the radio and belted out some tunes as we crawled into town, and I was back in a good mood in no time.
6. Favorite funny movie or comedian.
Sandra Tunnell: The last comedian I saw was my friend Karen, who was between jobs and decided to try out improv. Can you imagine?! I was so proud of her for being so amazing and brave! She is totally at the top of the chart for me.
Matt Miller: King Julian in the animated film series “Madagascar” always makes our family laugh!
7. What makes you smile?
Matt Miller: Acts of kindness … and my niece & nephews.
Sandra Tunnell: My family. My friends. My job (really!) My dog. These questions.
8. What makes you frown?
Sandra Tunnell: The news. (No offense!) What people do to one another … it can be heartbreaking.
Matt Miller: Lying/dishonesty
9. One thing you would change about yourself.
Matt Miller: I sometimes have a tendency to be too critical of myself.
Sandra Tunnell: One day, I will learn to type better.
10. What’s your ideal weekend?
Sandra Tunnell: A pile of books by my side.
Matt Miller: Visiting new places with my wife Melanie, eating at a great restaurant on a lake, and then church on Sunday with my family.
11. What would you tell the 15-year- old version of yourself?
Matt Miller: God has a plan for your life. Just be yourself and do not fear the future.
Sandra Tunnell: Don’t worry about what other people think about you. (Really, kid – don’t worry at all! You’re 15! You have your whole life ahead of you! Now go finish your homework.)
12. If you had unlimited resources, what Ashland-specific problem would you try to fix?
Sandra Tunnell: I would buy up all of our vacant and abandoned buildings — commercial and residential — fix them up, then market them for sale both inside and outside of our community. An attractive, move-in ready home in a warm, friendly town with great schools and job opportunities, lots of things to do, plus a vibrant downtown. Who wouldn’t want to live in Ashland?
Matt Miller: I would do whatever it takes to rescue our young people and adults who are addicted to drugs. After all, more and more, it is becoming an issue of life or death.
