Candidates Share Ideas During Whitehouse Forum
BY KAREN BERGER— MIRROR REPORTER
Three mayoral and six council candidates discussed challenges, changes and opportunities during an October 25 Whitehouse Candidates Forum sponsored by the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce and moderated by the League of Women Voters.
Six council candidates – Don Atkinson, Frank Billings, James Grove, Dennis Recker, Michelle Tippie and John Wittes – answered questions from an audience of 150 at Whitehouse Primary School. Council candidates Debby Curry and Allen Kuck were not able to attend.
Mayoral candidates Maridee Curry, Angie Kuhn and Jim Miller tackled topics such as council divisiveness, growing the economy, sign regulations and the mayor’s advisory council.
The US 24/SR 64 interchange – and the possibility of growth near and in Whitehouse – was a recurring topic. A 2009 village survey showed that residents don’t want big box stores, but rather smaller shops, light industrial or doctors’ and professional offices, the candidates pointed out.
“We need to work closely with township trustees to make sure it’s good for the community,” Miller said of the SR 64 corridor, adding that with the current economy, the village should cast a wide net when looking for potential businesses to fill the existing industrial park and other spaces.
Curry suggested that 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. businesses would be more beneficial to grow the tax base without interfering with quality of life or straining services.
“I’d love to see green (research and development). We need to think in a progressive, positive way,” Curry said, adding that some possibilities were in the works.
Kuhn said economic development should follow the guidelines in the village’s master plan, set for review in 2012, along with the residents’ request for developing the quarry area for recreation.
“We have a plan and that’s to pursue active recreation for the quarry, and a master plan for the parks will be started in January,” Kuhn said. “With that will come ancillary businesses to support recreation, such as restaurants.”
Active recreation is what the younger generation wants, said Tippie, noting a recent nationwide survey suggesting young adults are heading to communities with walking, biking and public transportation.
“We need to develop our community for the upcoming generation,” Tippie said. She also noted that to keep people in Whitehouse, more job opportunities are needed.
But with utility rates the highest in the state, those looking to set up shop are tempted to keep driving to Indiana, where rates are lower, Tippie said. If re-elected, she vows to open discussions with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Wittes said keeping utilities and other fees affordable would keep families in the area. Increasing fees takes away individual freedoms, he said.
Grove noted that he knew of 24 homes foreclosed on in the last six months, and how those who have lost their jobs are afraid to ask for help. He suggested giving senior citizens a tax break.
Wittes said those who are unable to drive or leave town will also be devastated if Dollar General leaves the downtown area – leaving no place in the village to purchase groceries. The discount chain is considering a move outside of the downtown area.
During a sluggish economy is a good time not only to seek out new businesses, but also to take care of existing ones, Recker said, noting that he’d work with council, the mayor and economic development coordinator to foster business growth.
“We also need to work with local townships on joint economic development districts, which provide an income to Whitehouse without much overhead,” Recker said.
Atkinson also noted that forming relationships with businesses would keep income strong. During his 20 years on the board of education, there were times when tax abatements lured new business but could take funds from the school district, Atkinson said. So the board members met individually with business owners to work out side agreements to still get their share of income.
One of Tippie’s concerns for the future is how the state government is looking at eroding local municipalities’ rights to collect and keep control over its income tax.
One tax that Miller and Tippie would like to get rid of is the $9.00 flat garbage fee, which Tippie said was implemented without a discussion as to which portion of the budget it’s filling.
“If it’s not eliminated, we should at least make it a fee for usage rather than a flat fee,” she said, noting that a couple who winters in Florida for several months pays the same as the resident placing 25 bags at the curb.
Other changes the candidates would like to see include the inner workings of council.
Billings suggested that council members are not all following the charter, such as when two members voted against appointing Bob Henry to police chief, although both agreed he was qualified, he said.
Groves said that any council member who is employed by the village should abstain from voting on matters related to his or her department.
Recker said he believes all council members should meet in a business meeting or as a committee of the whole prior to regular council meetings to allow more discussion on critical issues by the entire council, not just those on a particular committee.
He believes this will also cut down on the number of meetings needed. Billings interjected that any council member can attend any committee meeting.
Miller agreed that more open discussion would cut down on the divisiveness in council.
“We need to get council together and have an open discussion. We need to talk to council as a whole,” Miller said, “But some deadlock is built into the charter.”
Divisiveness among council has been tough this year, Kuhn admitted. She worked with individual council members to discuss disagreements, but believes that some issues didn’t necessarily need to be brought to council. She believes that training for current and new council members would eliminate some problems.
“When someone takes office, they don’t get a handbook on what is the true function of an elected office,” Kuhn said, noting that if a council member steps over the line, she could refer to the training handbook. “It’s a problem when people bring individual issues to the table.”
Curry said that, using her leadership skills, she would encourage council members to put their personal feelings aside and look at what’s best for the residents.
While some topics have divided council, the mayoral candidates agreed on one topic: that asking employees to pay for a portion of their health care benefits doesn’t make sense, now that administrator Jordan Daugherty negotiated lower insurance rates.
If costs go up, they noted, a review of the rates and possibly asking employees to pay would be in order.
The mayoral candidates also agreed that regular reviews of the sign code would help strike a balance between business owners’ need to promote and the village’s desire to keep signage appropriate.
As part of the downtown revitalization project, which includes soon-to-be-finished water and sewer lines, new signage and streetscaping will be installed, Kuhn said.
“Do we want inappropriate signs after that investment?” Kuhn asked.
Curry questioned the mayor’s use of an advisory council, which was formed by Kuhn without consulting council.
“As the mayor, the people I’d turn to would be my council, along with open communication with the public,” Curry said, adding that she wouldn’t form a committee outside the realm of council.
“I don’t have all the answers myself,” Kuhn said. “I wanted input from citizens, some who were instrumental in bringing business to Whitehouse.”