Post by MGB01 on Nov 7, 2005 20:30:18 GMT -5
news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051104/NEWS01/511040350
(Touched up a bit for piece)
Michael Munoz followed his father, NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, into pro football after a good career at the University of Tennessee.
But not into the NFL. After being passed over by the NFL, Munoz played one season for the XFL's Memphis Maniax and, after an inconsistent year in which he was switched to the right side and failed to beat out holdover John Feugill for the starting job comibined with 10 surgeries in 12 years, he called it quits over the weekend.
So, the son of the Bengals stalwart is taking a shot at politics - another interest he shares with his dad - by running for Hamilton Township trustee in suburban Cincinnati.
"It's always hard when dreams aren't realized," Michael Munoz said. "But I never got my identity from playing football; it was something I had fun doing, but it wasn't my life."
Munoz spent a year working on a master's degree in public administration, then, after the Maniax' season concluded in August, moved back to Warren County to work with his dad in the Anthony Munoz Foundation, which conducts youth leadership seminars and other activities.
"The whole process was almost a blur," he said. "I had no idea that I was going to be running for a position. We were approached by some people and I thought it would be a great fit."
At 24, Munoz has heard some criticism about being young and politically inexperienced.
"Michael's only been out here two months. He doesn't know anything about the township," said Clyde Baston, who is seeking a fifth six-year term as trustee.
After living in the township more than 40 years, Baston considers Munoz an interloper, one of the thousands of people filling in the sprawl that is moving north of Cincinnati and taking over Warren County, the second-fastest growing county in the state.
Township clerk Jackie Terwilleger said the population was about 5,000 when she moved there in 1959, has about 14,000 residents now and is expected to gain another 10,000 in the next five years.
"With growth comes problems," Terwilleger said. "You have to be able to provide for what they want when they move here. They want their cake and eat it, too; they want the amenities."
New construction includes some areas of tightly grouped houses. But many cost in the middle six-figure range, and homes near the new TPC at River's Bend golf course go for well over $1 million.
The hot-button issue is controlling growth. Two of the three trustees are up for re-election, and they're being challenged by six candidates and a write-in.
Terwilleger said it's easy to see why there are so many candidates for a job that pays $12,000 a year and goes begging in many small townships.
"Most of them want to be a trustee because they want to stop growth," she said.
Or, as Baston puts it, "The last ones out here want to close the gates." He opposes proposals that would restrict new construction to five-acre lots.
"You can't tell a man what he can do with his land," Baston said.
Munoz said he would modernize the township's Web site and create a township newsletter but doesn't want to change the rural feel.
"I think we need to have a plan to balance the growth to bring in some commercial and the right kind of industry," he said. "If we plan for that growth, we can preserve that rural feel and still have the services and the nice things that a community wants and expects."
Munoz said he and his wife, Emily, a nurse, have discussed possible political ambitions.
"Five years down the road, I can't tell you what I may be doing or where I will be, because five months ago, I wouldn't have said I would be here right now talking about politics," he said.
Munoz said he and his father have similar philosophies - conservative, Republican - but they don't talk politics much. Anthony Munoz said he and his son are much alike.
"We're big kidders. We like practical jokes," Anthony said. "I'm thankful he's working with us. It's been fun having him around."
Anthony Munoz has become increasingly involved with Republican politics. He headed the Bush-Cheney campaign in eight southwest Ohio counties last year, but says he is not interested in running for office.
($12,000 a year?! Typo or YIKES!)
(Touched up a bit for piece)
Michael Munoz followed his father, NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, into pro football after a good career at the University of Tennessee.
But not into the NFL. After being passed over by the NFL, Munoz played one season for the XFL's Memphis Maniax and, after an inconsistent year in which he was switched to the right side and failed to beat out holdover John Feugill for the starting job comibined with 10 surgeries in 12 years, he called it quits over the weekend.
So, the son of the Bengals stalwart is taking a shot at politics - another interest he shares with his dad - by running for Hamilton Township trustee in suburban Cincinnati.
"It's always hard when dreams aren't realized," Michael Munoz said. "But I never got my identity from playing football; it was something I had fun doing, but it wasn't my life."
Munoz spent a year working on a master's degree in public administration, then, after the Maniax' season concluded in August, moved back to Warren County to work with his dad in the Anthony Munoz Foundation, which conducts youth leadership seminars and other activities.
"The whole process was almost a blur," he said. "I had no idea that I was going to be running for a position. We were approached by some people and I thought it would be a great fit."
At 24, Munoz has heard some criticism about being young and politically inexperienced.
"Michael's only been out here two months. He doesn't know anything about the township," said Clyde Baston, who is seeking a fifth six-year term as trustee.
After living in the township more than 40 years, Baston considers Munoz an interloper, one of the thousands of people filling in the sprawl that is moving north of Cincinnati and taking over Warren County, the second-fastest growing county in the state.
Township clerk Jackie Terwilleger said the population was about 5,000 when she moved there in 1959, has about 14,000 residents now and is expected to gain another 10,000 in the next five years.
"With growth comes problems," Terwilleger said. "You have to be able to provide for what they want when they move here. They want their cake and eat it, too; they want the amenities."
New construction includes some areas of tightly grouped houses. But many cost in the middle six-figure range, and homes near the new TPC at River's Bend golf course go for well over $1 million.
The hot-button issue is controlling growth. Two of the three trustees are up for re-election, and they're being challenged by six candidates and a write-in.
Terwilleger said it's easy to see why there are so many candidates for a job that pays $12,000 a year and goes begging in many small townships.
"Most of them want to be a trustee because they want to stop growth," she said.
Or, as Baston puts it, "The last ones out here want to close the gates." He opposes proposals that would restrict new construction to five-acre lots.
"You can't tell a man what he can do with his land," Baston said.
Munoz said he would modernize the township's Web site and create a township newsletter but doesn't want to change the rural feel.
"I think we need to have a plan to balance the growth to bring in some commercial and the right kind of industry," he said. "If we plan for that growth, we can preserve that rural feel and still have the services and the nice things that a community wants and expects."
Munoz said he and his wife, Emily, a nurse, have discussed possible political ambitions.
"Five years down the road, I can't tell you what I may be doing or where I will be, because five months ago, I wouldn't have said I would be here right now talking about politics," he said.
Munoz said he and his father have similar philosophies - conservative, Republican - but they don't talk politics much. Anthony Munoz said he and his son are much alike.
"We're big kidders. We like practical jokes," Anthony said. "I'm thankful he's working with us. It's been fun having him around."
Anthony Munoz has become increasingly involved with Republican politics. He headed the Bush-Cheney campaign in eight southwest Ohio counties last year, but says he is not interested in running for office.
($12,000 a year?! Typo or YIKES!)