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Ohio Politician Inspired by Union Roots
Charles DeGross used to toss and turn at night worrying about decisions that would affect nearly two million schoolchildren in Ohio.
He was on the state board of education then, a position he held for three years. Now he’s the newly elected mayor of Moreland Hills, Ohio. His constituency is smaller, but he takes his job just as seriously.
“The voters, the citizens, entrust you with responsibility,” he said. “They have a lot of faith and confidence in you, and you have to do your homework.”
DeGross’ political education started in 1970 when he began work as a customer service technician for Ohio Bell and joined CWA. He was a newsletter writer and editor, then a shop steward. Ultimately, under a tuition benefit negotiated by the union, he went to college and later law school at night. Today he’s the lawyer for Local 4340, the largest local in District 4.
His union work has given him “tremendous experience dealing with diverse groups of people,” something critical for a politician, he said. “I think I’ve learned to be a fair person, and if you conduct your affairs in a fair and evenhanded manner, I don’t think you’ll have any problems.”
DeGross, who is married with two grown children, has spent 13 years in elected office. He served nine years on the city council of Moreland Hills, population 3,500, before being elected to the state board of education.
“I really want to serve and not create controversy,” he said. “There have been tough votes. But my motto has always been to err on the side of the children or on the side of the citizen and you’ll be able to sleep at night.”
DeGross credits two CWA veterans, Hugh Walsh, assistant to President Morton Bahr, and Ed Phillips, president of 4340, for helping him accomplish as much as he has. “I owe them greatly,” he said. “They’ve been very supporting and encouraging.”
Now DeGross wants to encourage other members to consider public office. “By their background they have tremendous experience and I think it converts to public service exceptionally well,” he said, stressing that would-be candidates shouldn’t feel they don’t have enough education or smarts to do the job.
“Don’t be intimidated by what you think may be complex subject matter,” he said. “Public office needs reasonable people making reasonable decisions.”
He was on the state board of education then, a position he held for three years. Now he’s the newly elected mayor of Moreland Hills, Ohio. His constituency is smaller, but he takes his job just as seriously.
“The voters, the citizens, entrust you with responsibility,” he said. “They have a lot of faith and confidence in you, and you have to do your homework.”
DeGross’ political education started in 1970 when he began work as a customer service technician for Ohio Bell and joined CWA. He was a newsletter writer and editor, then a shop steward. Ultimately, under a tuition benefit negotiated by the union, he went to college and later law school at night. Today he’s the lawyer for Local 4340, the largest local in District 4.
His union work has given him “tremendous experience dealing with diverse groups of people,” something critical for a politician, he said. “I think I’ve learned to be a fair person, and if you conduct your affairs in a fair and evenhanded manner, I don’t think you’ll have any problems.”
DeGross, who is married with two grown children, has spent 13 years in elected office. He served nine years on the city council of Moreland Hills, population 3,500, before being elected to the state board of education.
“I really want to serve and not create controversy,” he said. “There have been tough votes. But my motto has always been to err on the side of the children or on the side of the citizen and you’ll be able to sleep at night.”
DeGross credits two CWA veterans, Hugh Walsh, assistant to President Morton Bahr, and Ed Phillips, president of 4340, for helping him accomplish as much as he has. “I owe them greatly,” he said. “They’ve been very supporting and encouraging.”
Now DeGross wants to encourage other members to consider public office. “By their background they have tremendous experience and I think it converts to public service exceptionally well,” he said, stressing that would-be candidates shouldn’t feel they don’t have enough education or smarts to do the job.
“Don’t be intimidated by what you think may be complex subject matter,” he said. “Public office needs reasonable people making reasonable decisions.”