ThisWeek CW 10/15/2015

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/10/12/madison-township-five-way-race-for-trustee-seat-includes-one-incumbent.html

This year’s highly contested Madison Township trustee election is for a seat currently held by incumbent Gary McDonald, who is hoping to fend off challenges from Kimberly J. Jordan, John Kershner, Kathleen Walsh andSharon Whitten in the Nov. 3 election.

Jordan did not respond to multiple requests from ThisWeekfor information about her campaign.

* Kershner, who previously served on the board of education and is president of the Canal Winchester-Groveport Area Rotary Club, said he sees the township’s safety services as a primary asset for the community but believes maintaining and improving those services are important issues to tackle, as is addressing property blight.

“Madison Township’s fire calls continue to decline due to rigorous building codes and excellent supervision of home improvements,” Kershner said. “However, calls for medical assistance and transport continue to rise. We must investigate and address these increases to ensure that we maintain excellent services within the confines of our budget.

“Our police have lost a valuable K-9 officer who was responsible for numerous arrests and prosecution of illegal drug activity,” he said. “They were also responsible for the continued growth of relationships with schools and students in our community. These services made them an excellent resource and community partner and they need to be restored without raising taxes.”

Kershner said Madison Township’s problem with “eyesore properties” is similar to those in other communities, but the township needs to do more to address the situation.

“We need to be more dedicated to stepping up code enforcement on these properties and increasing responsiveness, to help eradicate them,” he said.

In addition, he said, trustees “have repeatedly promised to improve communication between residents and the board, We need to use available services more efficiently to keep that promise.”

Kershner said he hopes voters see him as the right candidate for these budgetary times.

“I feel I am the right candidate at this time, because the processes I want to work with others to implement will create more efficiency, transparency and effectively address the specific problems in Madison Township,” Kershner said. “I am aware of those problems not only because I live here, but also because I have had the opportunity to work with various levels of government in Madison Township. I am passionate and invested in Madison Township because my roots are here you won’t find anyone who will work harder or more enthusiastically to fill this position.”

* McDonald said the effect of budget issues on township services would be at the forefront for him if he is re-elected. He noted the township’s partnerships with Canal Winchester, Groveport and the school district are its greatest asset.

“I’m worried about our loss of revenue from state tangible personal property taxes and alternative funding,” McDonald said. “At our July trustees’ meeting, an open discussion ensued regarding the township’s finances and potential cuts in state funding, as reported by our fiscal officer and fire chief. Currently, Madison Township receives about $1.2 million-plus in state money.

“At a glance, we face a loss of $40,000 on streets and administrative programs, $350,000 to the police department and an estimated $820,000 to the fire department,” he said. “I will continue to be a good steward of tax dollars and continue to listen to the citizens and their suggestions in how their money is being utilized. Our financial reports and budgets are available upon request and our budget meetings are open to the public.”

McDonald said he is proud to say he’s kept his word and hopes voters agree and keep him in office.

“When I first ran for trustee, I placed emphasis on the following principles: putting residents first, open government and transparency, fiscal responsibility, and open communications. I am proud that I have kept my word,” McDonald said. “I, along with my fellow board members, have instituted many changes to improve all services within Madison Township. I realize there is much more work to be done and will continue to strive to improve all services provided to the taxpayers of Madison Township and the cooperative relationship that has been established with our citizens and local entities.”

* Walsh said Madison Township’s best assets are “strong, hard-working families,” natural resources and parks, agricultural land and access to major transportation infrastructure including U.S. Route 33.

Walsh said Madison Township needs to embrace technological solutions to communications issues.

“With today’s technology, the sharing of information is different,” she said.

“We need to update our Madison Township website, highlighting community resources, and develop a financial transparency portal to give the Madison Township stakeholder a transparent view of how their funds are invested in the delivery of services. We should also embrace social media and use it to the township’s benefit.”

Walsh said she believes Madison Township needs its own defined vision, developed through better communication with residents.

“Without a publicly defined vision, there can be no direction,” she said. “I have personally experienced the frustration of the lack of communication within Madison Township. Columbus is closing in on Madison Township and the development they allow needs to be continuously monitored.

If elected, Walsh said, she will make sure the people of Madison Township know they are both her boss and her customers.

“I would like to implement monthly town hall gatherings,” she said. “These would be informal social gatherings for networking, sharing of ideas and voicing concerns. I would encourage the participation of the community, including student of all ages. With the information obtained from the gatherings, I’ll work with the other trustees to write a vision statement and set solid goals.”

Walsh said she wants to make Madison Township the best township in Ohio.

“I have the time, resolve and dedication to this task,” she said. “I’ve spent the past 20-plus years in the construction industry as a cost estimator, project manager and owner. I have worked on multimillion-dollar projects that were completed on time, on budget and to the satisfaction of the customer.

“I have experience with fundraising and managing volunteers with Easter Seals and the parochial schools,” Walsh said. “I have experience working with government agencies. I will work tirelessly as a team player, to ensure that they are satisfied with my work ethic, honesty and integrity.”

* Whitten said she has held several PTA offices over the years and has been active in athletics booster organizations. She said she believes the community’s residents and excellent public servants are its greatest asset.

She said focusing on budgeting, primarily related to the fire department, would be the township’s biggest issue in the near future.

“Spending our tax dollars wisely is our biggest issue,” Whitten said. “We need to make certain the promise made to build and adequately staff our new fire station per the fire levy that was passed happens.

“I definitely have the skills, knowledge and ability to tackle the tough issues that our township has with the budget.,” she said. “One possibility is finding ways to bring in more revenue and working together with our surrounding municipalities.”

Whitten said she would help the township in finding partnerships and will expand outreach to residents, if she is elected.

“I will add diversity with the elected trustees,” she said. “I have contacts in federal, state, county and local agencies that may prove useful to assist the township. I have negotiated contracts with companies. I will establish weekly meetings with residents in different parts of township to discuss concerns and suggestions, as well as working with veterans, seniors and youth to provide resources not currently being made available.”