Kathy Catazaro-Perry

My husband, Tony, and I were blessed with our beautiful daughter Vanessa in 2005. She is the youngest of five children — Nicole, Dominick, Brooke, Mariah, ages 28 to 18, and Vanessa, who has Down syndrome.

I was shocked by the absence of child care in our county for children with special needs. I found this unacceptable and made a commitment to do something about it.

I co-founded the Golden Key Center for Exceptional Children. The nonprofit center is licensed by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services and is open to children with disabilities. It places a special focus on children who require nursing services and are qualified as medically fragile. I am confident the center fills a valuable place for the parents of special needs children.

Our center has a volunteer board that has a commitment to our mission. People have donated their time, energy and money to help make this successful. They have made a choice to be involved, and I believe that involvement is making an impact.

In 2003, I ran for office. My father, the late James R. Grosse, ran unsuccessfully for Perry Township trustee when I was 15 years old. I said then that someday I want to run for office to make a difference in my community. I lost my first race in Perry Township in 2001, but that just inspired me more to work harder as my desire to serve my community grew stronger.

I was elected in 2003 to Massillon City Council. I ran for city council to make my community a better place. I ran to be accessible to the residents when they had an issue they could not solve. I ran to make our parks better, our streets safer and our city stronger.

I enjoy working with people and helping them to live better lives.

About Kathy

WHO: Katherine M. Catazaro-Perry

WHAT: Founder and coach, American Elite American Idols (special needs cheerleading team); co-founder and executive director of the Golden Key Center for Exceptional Children; Massillon Ward 3 council representative.

EDUCATION: Graduated with honors from Canton City Practical Nursing Program in 1986; graduated with distinction from Stark State College in 1995 with an associate degree in science as a registered nurse; graduated from Malone College in 1999 from the MCMP program with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

COMMUNITY BOARDS: Past president and current member of Stark County District Library Foundation; past president and current member of Coalition of Women Voters; past chairwoman and current member of Health Foundation of Greater Massillon board; past president and current member of Perry Township Rotary Club; secretary and public relations officer for Service League for Health and Education; member of Quota International of Massillon and Walsh Women’s Committee.