MONROE — Though it is an uncontested race to fill three open council seats for this growing city along Interstate 75, it doesn't slow some candidates' urgency in wanting to speed development.

        Monroe's expanding growth, especially around the Ohio 63 and Interstate 75 interchange, needs to be quickly addressed once the new council convenes after the new year, said candidate Steven Tannreuther.

        “One of my front-burner issues is the 63 interchange improvements. It's important to the city because the I-75 corridor is a gold mine and the interchange's widening would bring future development that is good for our tax base,” said Mr. Tannreuther, 47, a supervisor at AK Steel and first-time candidate for political office.

        “A good tax base is good for our schools,” said Mr. Tannreuther, son of soon-to-retire Monroe Mayor Elbert Tannreuther Jr., whose term ends Jan. 1 after holding the mayor's office since 1986.

        Mr. Tannreuther is one of three unopposed candidates, along with Steven Campbell and Robert Routson, who are assured election to the seven-member city council.

        Monroe, now more than 7,000 people, has experienced growing business development. In 2000 more than 1 million square feet of new commercial space was created in the city while 11 new residential subdivisions were built.

        Monroe residents are also being asked to vote on an omnibus charter amendment when they enter the voting booth Nov. 6 that would incorporate 13 recommendations — mostly of nominal significance to change language — to the city charter should voters pass the ballot issue.

        Other top issues for Mr. Tannreuther include improving and expanding the city's park areas — he has been a member of the Monroe Park Board since 1995 — and attracting more retail and restaurants to the city.

        “We need more nice, sit-down restaurants,” he said.

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