There aren’t many free rides this election season for village executives in northern Summit County.Reminderville Mayor Sam Alonso is the only of his peers skating into office uncontested.The other five executive offices are up for grabs, including a five-way fight in Richfield to fill the post being left by term-limited Mayor Michael Lyons.Here are the races:Boston HeightsMayor Bill Goncy is facing off against eight-year council veteran Janet Miller.Currently council president, Miller is a homemaker and mom of six.Miller, 54, said the top issue facing Boston Heights is preserving the village’s charm while supporting growth.“Our enchanting village has been through many changes,” she said. “It will continue to change and grow. Responsible stewardship of sustainable development is imperative to preserving the character of our village.”Key to that success is improved communication between village hall departments and residents, she said.“Inform, engage and unify the community,” Miller said.Goncy, a retired carpenter who served on the council for 22 years before becoming mayor in 2008, said Boston Heights faces the same challenges all of its neighbors face – balancing a budget as state and local income declines.“It is imperative to provide constant, safe levels of safety force and service responses for residents, businesses and visitors while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said Goncy, 63.He also wants to explore sharing services with surrounding communities as “a viable avenue to provide sustainable service in all government departments.”NorthfieldMayor Victor Milani is being challenged by two-term councilman Jesse Nehez.Milani, a freelance photographer, has been mayor since 1999.Incorporating a proposed $300 million hotel and casino into the day-to-day operations of the village will be a major focus the next four years, Milani said.Road and infrastructure projects will also be a priority while he seeks to “provide funds for the projects through grants and/or zero-interest loans without hitting the taxpayer base,” said Milani, 52.Nehez, a horticulturist with Western Reserve Academy, has been on the council since 2005 and agrees roads are a top concern for the next mayor. He also has a vision on how to afford them.“By establishing architectural and landscape design standards, we can improve the quality and update the appearance of the community,” said Nehez, 30. “As a result, we will attract quality businesses, which will in turn stimulate Northfield’s economy and help with the rebuilding of the villages infrastructure, including the repair and rebuilding of our roads.”PeninsulaWith Mayor Dick Fisher opting not to run for re-election, two civic-minded residents are seeking to fill the void.Voters will decide between Council President Doug Anderson and fifth-generation native Doug Mayer.Anderson, 53, has held a variety of government jobs since 1979, including firefighter, road superintendent and his current role as assistant superintendent with the City of Hudson Public Works Department. He has served on the village council since 2005.“As with all communities these days, our most pressing issue is funding and controlling costs,” he said.To that end, he seeks to “streamline operations,” in part by finding ways to collaborate with surrounding communities, he said. Aggressively pursuing state and federal grants is another priority.Mayer, 56, is a political newcomer but a veteran of Boston Township operations, where he is the current assistant road superintendent and assistant zoning inspector.He also identified finances as the top issue for the next four years, and said his first job would be to conduct a thorough review of all expenditures.“I would establish a process to ensure that this is done on a regular basis,” he said, as well as solicit input from residents at monthly meetings.RichfieldVoters have five candidates to consider in Richfield, where council members Andy Ellis, John Ciolkevich and Bobbie Beshara are sharing the ballot with economic development director Ralph Waszak and fire chief Joe Stopak.• Ralph Waszak, 65, said his platform includes maintaining the quality of life and “semi-rural character” of the village.“Going forward, sound land planning and diligent economic development practices will allow Richfield to continue to build its tax base, keeping property taxes low [and] allowing us to maintain and expand all services,” he said.• Andy Ellis, 67, is an engineer with OneCommunity and first joined the council in 2004.His goals include improving communication with residents as well as “sharing and collaborating with other entities, utilizing technology, empowering employees and drawing on the expertise within the community,” he said.• John Ciolkevich, 56, is engineering manager with DipTech Systems Inc. and a six-year veteran of the council.He said he earned a masters in public administration and city management in preparation to become mayor.His priorities include increasing cash balances, increasing capital spending on road repair and maintenance, and hiring new police and fire chiefs through an “open and comprehensive hiring process.”• Bobbie Beshara, 55, a fixture on the council since 1993, is the risk management coordinator for the Ohio Youth Soccer Association North.“I will work jointly with the new council and our department heads to maximize our services to the residents and businesses within our current income stream,” she said. Attracting new businesses to grow the income tax base is also a priority.• Joe Stopak, 68, has been on the Richfield Village Fire Department for 39 years, the last 12 as its chief.Stopak said declining revenue can be addressed by promoting economic growth and encouraging new businesses to come to town.Meanwhile, “we have to watch our expenditures but not at the reduction in the services we provide,” he said.Silver LakeMayor Bernie Hovey is seeking re-election; local businessman Steven Fuller wants to replace him.Hovey, an Archbishop Hoban High School math teacher, served on the village council from 1999 until becoming mayor in 2006.Hovey, 64, said there are necessary capital projects and equipment purchases in Silver Lake’s future, but the budget must stay balanced. That could mean cutbacks in personnel and increased health care contributions, he said.“All expenditures will continue to be prioritized, and only those that are absolutely necessary will be approved,” Hovey said.He added that the general fund has accrued a $1 million balance during his administration.Fuller is a former member of the Cuyahoga Falls City School Board, where he was “the incoming member with the business and financial skills who questioned the treasurer, and was president when we had to address a budget shortfall.”Fuller, 68, owned AlphaGraphics Printshop, which he sold in 2001.Being retired, he said, allows him the time to address a shortfall in the village’s projected budget proposal for 2012, which shows a $250,000 deficit.He wants the council and village volunteers to help put together a long-term plan for addressing future needs and a way to pay for them.“We need to set aside funds in advance of expenditures to maintain our infrastructure without burdening future generations with mountains of debt,” he said.Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.