About Riley A. Alton
Riley A. Alton is a current Olmsted Township Trustee, elected in November 2021. Born and raised in Olmsted Township, Riley attended Olmsted Falls City Schools and St. Ignatius High School before studying American History and Political Science at the Ohio State University.
Riley has made public safety a top priority, ensuring that our Police and Fire Departments have the necessary resources and personnel. He has championed new contracts to provide competitive pay and benefits for first responders. Under his tenure, the Township's Fire Department grew from 12 to 17 full-time firefighters – thanks in part to a $1 million SAFER grant – and acquired a new ambulance and fire engine. Riley has proudly supported new investments in the Township’s Police Department, such as two e-bikes to improve community engagement and officer mobility as well as the Department’s drone program which has saved lives and is recognized as a model for other communities. After the tragic Uvalde shooting, Riley sponsored legislation to expand the Department’s School Resource Officer Program, adding two officers to help keep our kids safe and splitting the cost with the School District.
Riley believes that, when it comes to government, responsiveness is everything. That’s why he supported an overhaul of our Building Department to make it more responsive to residents and business, and to better manage our growth. Riley also supported our Service Department workers unionizing with the Teamsters, negotiating a brand new contract that will help recruit and retain skilled laborers who maintain our roads, address resident concerns, and keep our community beautiful. He also sponsored an overhaul of the Township’s website to make it more transparent and accessible.
In addition to his elected role, Riley serves as the Finance Director for the Minority Caucus of the Ohio House of Representatives. He rose through the ranks as an aide to a local lawmaker and has worked on many critical issues, such as property tax relief and public school funding – including the bipartisan Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan, designed to reduce Ohio’s overreliance on property taxes while prioritizing the needs of students. Riley’s experience in government has equipped him with a strong knowledge of issues vital to our community and created a strong network for regional collaboration and securing a historic amount of grant dollars at every level. He is committed to putting our community first.
Riley is seeking re-election to continue building on this progress and ensure Olmsted Township remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.