Huber Ridge Area

A huge thank you goes out to the “HRAA” and Faith Covenant Church for hosting a Trustee Candidate Q&A.  There are 4 candidates this year and 2 seats open. I have questions that needed answers and I received some Tuesday.

Mr. Welsh has demonstrated quality leadership, responsibility, and genuine concern for the community and the Township. He has taken the lead on several roles that matter to our township, and made a difference. The last four years I have noticed a difference in the community and the township, thanks to the HRAA and Mr. Welsh.

After attending I still have some un-answered questions. All four candidates talked a lot about infrastructure and the need for improvement, something I really agree with. Mr. Welsh presented some good answers and because of his track record I believe him – He will get my VOTE. One concern, he ran two years ago and was defeated by a 24 year incumbent: do the residents believe in him? But I still have one vote left. All of the candidates talked of much needed improvements, but concerns still remain.

Mrs. Heichel stated several times that Huber Ridge is referred to as a “ghetto”, this puzzles and offends me. Her husband was the police chief for several years, and her great friend of the family, current trustee Mr. Ward has been on the board for 26 years. Why is the concern now about the infrastructure? Did not the deterioration of the township fall upon the watch of her husband and close family friend and trustee? Will she now be working with Mr. Ward if elected? Would this be the same situation that the deterioration began and continued in? Would this be a throwback to the “good ol boys” era? What has changed that the infrastructure is now important and was not for the last 32 years before this election? There appears to be no leadership experience or substance to back up her ideas. What do we have to go on besides her word? Mrs. Heichel has some good points and views and seems sincere, but are they genuine? She is a smart person.

Mr. Stallings had some good answers but appeared very fidgety and appeared to have muttled comments for a lot of the other candidate’s responses. When I found out he has been the Vice-President of the Sunburywoods Civic Association and the participation from the association has been very dismal to say the least, this worries me about his true leadership. We have been fighting the water company for some time now and sunburywoods has failed to even participate. I have checked and Mr. Stallings has never written to the PUCO before being appointed to the trustee position this past June. At 30 years of age and 4 kids under the age of 9, and one on the way, I wonder if he will be able to truly perform the job of Trustee. Truly his family should come first. Should he hold off until the kids get older when his attention can be better served to the township? Could some maturity (after seeing the displays at the Q&A) in aging occur before serving the township be appropriate? His lack of leadership skills in other services has raised some questions.

Mr. Flaherty had some good answers and was very quick to respond. Since serving as Trustee a lot of changes seem to have happened, most of them positive. Rumpke trash was not one of them. It appears he has very similar views or listens to  Mr. Welsh’s concerns and idea’s. The idea of Mr. Welsh and Mr. Flaherty working together to better the township is a plus. But Mr. Flaherty appears to be a polished and bright politician, and I have to wonder if the Trustee position is a springboard for his career? We do not need another Mr. Bacon. Will Mr. Flaherty work well with the other Trustee’s?

I guess I am writing this to ask residents if you have answers to some of these questions. The future of the township really relies on this election. Do we want more of the same? Do we want to move forward into the 21^st century? Do you want to increase your property values? Do you want to get rid of Ohio American Water? Do we want proven leadership with results? Do we want to gamble with the future of Blendon Township? In reading the above questions as I write them, only ONE candidate comes to mind. But what about my other vote? I am leaning toward Mr. Flaherty. I truly would like you all to consider this post and respond truthfully. PEASE: NO CANDIDATES RESPOND or family of the candidates– you have had your chance.

I apologize if this post feels like a campaign for one candidate, it truly is NOT. I need some input, maybe my views are too left field. I do not take this election lightly, and the future of my home relies on my (our) decisions Nov 3rd.  

We are being asked by each candidate to hire them as Trustee of our Township. This responsibility should not be taken lightly. If you were hiring a CEO for your company what qualifications matter to you? Do any or all of these candidates fit these qualifications? We are being asked to elect two trustee’s to run our township, spend our hard earned tax dollars appropriately, and represent us – the residents.

The future of Blendon Township does rely on our vote November 3^rd.

Residents of Blendon Township should not worry about Stew Flaherty using the trustee position as a springboard as Kevin Bacon did. I heard Mr. Flaherty make the statement that you can be more effective as a trustee when it comes to getting things done rather than waiting on action from the statehouse which can take years. As trustee you can see the direct result of your efforts in the community. 

Mr Flaherty has made many contacts across the state which will benefit Blendon Township long term. In addition, we need his financial expertise - the township is woefully lacking in this area.

Blendon residents, cast your votes carefully - we do not want "Romper Room" or the "Tom and Jerry" show  setting us back 20 years.

The good new about Mr. Flaherty is that he works well with and for RESIDENTS.  He has accomplished much in his two-year tenure.

You obviously have strong feelings that you were able to express; it seems unfair that you do not want candidates or their family to express the same - if they wish to do so.  This is a free forum.

I appreciate your concern about this election.  I share the same.

Pam Clegg

It is my opinion that the heart of the matter at the polls is that voters are challenged to hire two trustees to manage the almost 5 million dollar budget of Blendon Township.  With your vote, you are entrusting your candidates with effective management and use of your hard earned money that you pay in taxes.  Although the common root word is TRUST in the operative words here (Trustee and entrust), voters should absolutely not blindly trust the individual to whom they cast their vote to do right by them or make decisions in their best interest.  Voters must actively investigate the candidates opinions, perspectives and motivations for seeking this part-time job with the township.

It is my expectation as the “hiring manager” in this situation, that the candidates who earn my vote and thus my endorsement demonstrate and possess the following:

1. Historically demonstrated consistent investment in this township through their works to make it a better place in which to live.
2. Possess and can express an extensive knowledge base of the issues particular to Blendon residents.
3. Have a strong performance track record of effective and prudent fiscal management.
4. Actively pursue resolution to issues that are troublesome to Blendon residents.
5. Actively seek and/or create relationships with lawmakers to champion causes and issues relevant to our township.  
6. Motivation to become a Blendon Township Trustee is clearly only to seek to make circumstances better for the residents they will serve.

I feel that Blendon Township is extremely fortunate to have 4 candidates for the 2 positions that are open.  It takes tremendous courage and commitment to put yourself out there and stand up to say you want to serve a population of people.  Each of the candidates have expressed an interest in public service and it is my fervent hope that once the election decides who gets the job that the other two candidates who did not win a seat remain active in the offensive to make life better in Blendon as they have committed to doing during the campaign.  It would be a shame and great disappointment to lose any of the energy and enthusiasm displayed now for this job and would certainly damage the candidate credibility in the future, at least it would damage their credibility and sincerity with me.

That being said, I realize that the 6 points I’ve listed above may be a tall order for a part-time job.  Consider though that this job does, in return for their service, pay approximately $15,000 in salary, the township pays in full the employee portion of the premium for medical, dental, vision and life coverage and then pays 14% of their salary into a pension fund at the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System on behalf of the trustee.  Clearly this isn’t a volunteer position and the candidate/trustee gets monetary compensation.  Because WE pay the trustees, it is entirely within the right of the voter / resident to expect certain levels of performance from their trustees.  Further, it is the right of the resident to voice those expectations whether they be suggestions or feedback on their performance.  At one point I made a few statements regarding current trustee performance and it got back to me indirectly that one of them wanted to know “Who I thought I was!” to make such statements.  Well, I will tell you now exactly who I am….I’m the person you pledged to serve, I’m your boss and it is completely within my rights to voice my opinions, suggestions, and feedback on your performance as long as it is pertinent and factual.  So candidates, if you don’t want to deal with watchdogs such as myself, don’t like your actions and motives questioned or feel you’re “above the law” and above reproach and can free-lance without consequence maybe this isn’t the job for you because there are others…..many others who have the right to question your performance at any given moment, and they’ll do it as well.

With the current selection of candidates, my endorsement and votes are going to be cast for Jim Welch and Stewart Flaherty.  I feel they most closely fit the requirements I’ve stated above.  This really shouldn’t come as a surprise to many because their accomplishments are well documented since they have involved themselves in many community initiatives throughout the years.  It is imperative that our Trustees be able to rise to the varying challenges that face the different areas of our township and I feel Jim and Stewart are best equipped to do that.  They are well versed on the issues and have already forged critical relationships that I hope will prove beneficial to residents in the coming months and years.  I can’t say I have agreed with all they have said and done but as I said they most closely meet my requirements to be able to hit the ground running in this Trustee role. 

Although I was grateful for the opportunity to hear more about Alex Stallings and Jan Heichel’s backgrounds and perspectives in the HRAA Herald and at the HRAA sponsored Q&A recently, I feel they would require quite a bit more ramp up time in terms of learning the job and issues before they are fully effective in this role.  I am basing this on their own responses during the Q&A to various questions from residents.  I think that both Alex and Jan represent demographics within the township that need a greater voice but I feel they are in need of more time to prepare for the job as trustee. 

Admirably Alex is an Assistant Manager of a retail establishment as well as the Vice President of his civic association.  The skill set necessary to take the reins of these roles is significantly different from that of Store Manager or President who in each case is responsible for the overall performance of the business and organization and more closely matched to those skills necessary for Trustee.  Jan Heichel has shared she has considerable customer service skills particularly in high stress situations which she has used professionally for years.  A cool head is always a plus particularly when working with a team but I’d say my biggest misgiving in terms of Jan’s ability to step up into this Trustee role is that I don’t get the feeling that she has a good grasp on the pulse of the issues facing Blendon Township because she was unable to answer all of the questions at the Q&A citing she would need to do research.

Anyway, this is my opinion and I’ve done my best to substantiate my choices in this public forum.  Typically I don’t publicly make candidate endorsements but in this case I felt compelled to do so particularly in light of the nature of this year’s race.  The direction and future of the township will be significantly impacted by the choices we make during this election.  We are voting for two-thirds of the voting power on the Board of Trustees and the combination of those two incoming votes could significantly change the course of our township.  I urge my neighbors not to vote based on a name they saw on a campaign sign that might sound familiar to you or take at face value the election materials created by the candidates but ask questions and find out for yourself who is ready to manage this township and who meets your expectations as their future boss.     

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn E. Cordray