ThisWeek CW 11/12/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/11/09/saving-money-improving-service-on-new-trustees-agenda.html
Newly elected Madison Township trustee John Kershner has his eye on the bottom line as he prepares to take office in January.
Kershner came out on top in a five-way race for one trustee seat, besting longtime incumbent Gary McDonald and three other candidates Nov. 3.
He said he was humbled by the win and thanked McDonald for his service and hard work.
“I’ve learned so much through my discussions with so many people over the past few months and am looking forward to working with Victor Paini and Ed Dildine to continue to move our township forward,” Kershner said. “I am excited about the possibilities and will work to help find areas where efficiency may be gained, services improved, and tax dollars saved or invested wisely.
“There were many great choices for trustee and all the candidates should be proud of the positive, well-run campaigns they spearheaded,” he said.
McDonald said he was disappointed not to be elected to another term but promised to remain active in the community.
According to unofficial final results from the Franklin County Board of Elections, Kershner won with 1,692 votes. McDonald was next, with 1,481 votes, followed by Sharon Whitten with 1,183 votes, Kathleen Walsh with 753 votes and Kimberly J. Jordan with 522 votes.
“This community has been good to me and I appreciate everyone’s support while in office,” McDonald said. “I think we’ve all worked together to make good improvements over the last four years and I remain committed to the township.
“I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve built with Groveport and with the schools and I think we’ve got a talented group of people to keep us heading in the right direction.”
Groveport Madison
Newcomer Christopher Snyder will join incumbent Mary Tedrow, who won re-election Nov. 3, on the Groveport Madison Board of Education.
Tedrow received the most votes – 4,103 – to retain her seat, with Snyder gaining 3,637 votes and Maria J. McGraw receiving 3,574.
Tedrow said she hopes to continue pushing for higher academic achievement across the district.
“My biggest concern for the schools is to improve our academic performance,” she said. “It’s my hope that the building of the new high school, improved career and college preparation programs, and making preschool available so that our students will enter kindergarten ready to learn will help accomplish this.”
She said her goals are to remain active in not just board meetings but school activities as well.
Groveport
In Groveport, Mayor Lance Westcamp held off newcomer David Gale to retain his seat. Westcamp received 981 votes to Gale’s 799, according to unofficial results.
He said he was grateful for the “tremendous amount of support” he received from voters and looks forward to continuing to work to improve citizens’ quality of life, maintaining the city’s “excellent financial rating” and completing the historic district’s redevelopment.
Incumbent council members Sean Cleary and Jean Ann Hilbert, who ran unopposed, both said they are excited to be able to serve the city for another four years.
“I’m very grateful for the support that voters have given me again,” Cleary said. “I look forward to being available to any citizen who wants to approach me for any type of issue.”
He said he is available to talk in council chambers two hours before every regular council meeting.
“We’ve done a tremendous amount of building with industry and next I’d like to see more money invested in infrastructure and financial security for the future by increasing our rainy day funds,” Cleary said.
Hilbert said she will remain focused on responding to the needs of residents and businesses.
“I’d like to see the remainder of the town center developed, with an anchor restaurant being the main focus at this time,” Hilbert said. “I believe we’ve evolved as a leader in central Ohio with our transportation programs and we are a model others will follow. We saw that need and responded with positive action.”