Council Profiles

Rap Hankins, Ward 2

Councilman Rap Hankins is married to wife Jan and they have three children. He received his BA in Humanities and Human Development from Antioch University 1997, graduating with commendations. His philosophy is if people want the respect of others, they first and foremost they must respect themselves by building the strongest city possible.

"Twenty-five years ago or so my family and I moved to Trotwood for the country environment, schools and the prospect of raising our children in a vibrant and safe environment," says Hankins. "Today our city faces many challenges similar to communities all over the state of Ohio. At present, the New Town Center is at the heart of bringing back Salem Avenue and generating additional revenue necessary to rebuild our city. I believe with the success of the New Town Center we can continue to build upon the very reasons that brought my family to Trotwood so many years ago. This can and will be done with the help of my colleagues on City Council. Most importantly, success will be attained through the full participation of all the people of the City of Trotwood. And the continuous growth of our city will be attained by all of those citizens seeing Trotwood for what it is and what it can be - Our Home."

Councilman Hankins was originally appointed to Trotwood's Ward 2 in July, 2001 and elected to his first term that November. He established Hankins Computer Consultants in 1982 and through 1994 represented software and accessories for Apple/Macintosh and IBM in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, southern Michigan and western Pennsylvania. A firm believer in continuous education, he has obtained the Gold Leadership Ambassador level in the National League of Cities and is a member of the Ohio Municipal League Training Institute. Both organizations provide training and development in understanding effective government policies and procedures.

Mr. Hankins is currently City Council representative to the Trotwood-Madison School Board, Salem Avenue Vision Coalition Committee and Trotwood Board of Zoning Appeals. Regionally, he is the City's representative on the Dayton First Tier Suburbs Consortium and was recently appointed by the Ohio Municipal League to the Ohio Jail Advisory Board. He believes it is important for citizens to participate and give back to the community that they call home. His community involvement, politically and socially, is extensive. His time as Trotwood Softball Association President, 1996-2001, continues to be near and dear to his heart. "Trotwood is only as prosperous as the number of its people willing to volunteer their time and energy," says Hankins. "To those volunteers, I say thank you."

Councilman Hankins is also focused on enforcing ordinances to hold citizens and landlords accountable for maintaining their property in the Salem Village and Brentwood neighborhoods. To the citizens of Salem Village and Brentwood who have children in the Dayton school system, the redistricting of their children was implemented in the early 1960's. I will be attending the Dayton school board meeting to understand their vision and how it impacts our children attending Dayton Schools."

For more information please contact Clerk of Council Lois Singleton at (937) 854-7212 or lsingleton@trotwood.org.