Chris Borreson, a lifelong resident of Greenfield, Ohio, has announced his candidacy for mayor as the town transitions from a city manager system to a mayor-led government. In a wide-ranging interview on The Rylan William Show, Borreson outlined his background, priorities, and plans for the newly structured administration.
Borreson has lived in Greenfield his entire life and purchased his home on Lyndon Avenue in 1997. A graduate of Greenfield-McClain High School, he completed his education a year early in 1992 and went on to serve four years in the United States Air Force with the 16th Special Operations Squadron. His professional career includes time at Cox Paving and over two decades with the Ohio Department of Transportation, where he currently manages 24 employees responsible for maintaining 540 miles of state routes in Ross County.
The government transition, which shifts executive authority from a city manager to an elected mayor, will not affect day-to-day operations for village employees, Borreson said. However, he emphasized that the new structure requires the mayor to reside in Greenfield, unlike previous city managers. The initial framework includes three council members and the mayor, a setup Borreson described as a “federal form of government.” He expressed concern about the limitations of a three-member council, noting that any two members cannot discuss village business outside of formal meetings.
Borreson expects a “start from scratch” period to rebuild local governance and revise legislation to better reflect community needs. He said his decision to run was driven by a sense of duty and encouragement from residents. “I feel like the soldiers storming the beach in Normandy,” he said. “I don’t really want to, but somebody’s got to do it.”
His platform centers on infrastructure and fiscal responsibility. Drawing on his experience with ODOT and paving, Borreson criticized superficial repairs that fail to address underlying problems. He pledged to maximize the value of every dollar spent and avoid what he called “lipstick on the road.”
Borreson previously served eight years on Village Council, gaining insight into Greenfield’s budget and operations. He noted that much of Ohio’s infrastructure was built within a 40–50 year window and then neglected, leading to leadership gaps and reduced efficiency.
Transparency is a cornerstone of his campaign. Borreson recently posted his personal cell phone number on Facebook and said he would maintain a public mayor phone line if elected. He plans to publish detailed financial and project information so residents understand budget constraints and spending decisions. For example, he explained that a $300,000 paving budget typically covers only eight blocks, helping residents grasp why certain streets may not be addressed each year.
Borreson’s interest in public service began in 2011 when a city manager declined an $11 pothole repair near his home. That moment led him to seek answers about the village’s financial state following the economic crash. He believes residents should not have to run for office to access basic information.
Outside of politics, Borreson enjoys racing and fast cars. He owns a 392 Scat Pack Challenger and frequents 35 Raceway in Frankfort and Atomic Speedway. He also enjoys cooking and grilling.
His message to voters is direct: “I’m going to work for you. I want to be your public servant. You’ll be the boss. I’ll be the mouthpiece.”
If elected, Borreson plans to expand the council, overhaul outdated legislation, and prioritize infrastructure fixes that address root causes. His full interview is available on YouTube.