The New Carlisle News submitted a series of questions to the candidates who will appear on the November 7, 2017 ballot for New Carlisle City Council. We have received a response from all of the candidates who have an established e-mail listed with the Clark County Board of Elections. Ronald Cobb did not respond to the invitation to participate. The New Carlisle News has provided a summary of their biographical information and has printed their unedited answers to the questions.
WILLIAM COOK
William Cook is a graduate of Tecumseh High School. He has spent over 30 years as a first responder working with the New Carlisle Fire Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. He has served on a number of city committees and has over 40 years of experience in sales and management. He is currently a member of Clark County Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee.
Cook is seeking a seat on council because he has served the community for a number of years and believes his knowledge of the history of the city of New Carlisle and the Charter will be of benefit to the community. He also has a willingness to see the city move forward in the years ahead.
1. There is an initiative on the ballot to give tax credits to residents who work elsewhere. This would mean a substantial loss of revenue for the city. What ideas to you have to make up that shortfall if it passes?
If the citizens choose to pass this issue, the Administration and council have no recourse but to make the necessary cuts, with the hope of keeping the city from falling into fiscial watch.
2. What significant improvements do you believe are needed in the City of New Carlisle over the next four years?
Depending upon issue 4 passing or failing, the improvements to the city could be minual or on a continued upward path. There needs to be more jobs and tax revenue in order to operate the city in some semblance of progressive growth.
3. New Carlisle has been identified on the new Clark County CONNECT plan as a location for “Community Investment”. This suggests that the city may be experiencing decline in the existing pattern and character of development. What redevelopment would you like to see to address the “underutilized” sites around the city?
Again depending upon issue 4, this could be a question with no answer.
4. How would you encourage businesses and property owners to make improvements to existing buildings?
Again, I refer to the above questions answer, if issue 4 passes, why would they seek to improve their business or property when the city could be in a very declined state
5. New Carlisle has little industry and the burden of financially running the city falls entirely on individuals. What would you do to entice industry to locate in New Carlisle?
Again, depending on Issue 4, If it passes their would be little to entice industry to the city. If 4 fails, then, we need to implement the planning position to seek and solicit possible companies to commit to locating here. We have a lot to offer but issue 4 can be killer of any and all attempts to make New Carlisle great.
AARON LEIGHTY
Arron Leighty is a graduate of Tecumseh High School and has attended the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) for the Air Force. He also lists Clark State in his education information. He is a business owner of Leighty Brothers’ Poultry which is a butcher shop founded by his family. He was the financial officer and record keeper for the business. He also lists the Leighty Brothers’ Meats in New Carlisle as an owner. He served in the Air Force Reserve in the medical field.
Leighty was appointed to the New Carlisle Council seat in January 2017 which was vacated by Lowell McGlothlin when he was elected Clark County Commissioner. He is running for election to a seat on council because he believes it is important for New Carlisle to have someone on Council who represents the young, working families of the community. He would like to assure that the city continues to have a strong public safety resource with the fire and police departments. He would also like to represent the business community in the city.
1. There is an initiative on the ballot to give tax credits to residents who work elsewhere. This would mean a substantial loss of revenue for the city. What ideas to you have to make up that shortfall if it passes?
Unfortunately, there is no good answer to this. Imagine if you lost 60% of your income, what would be your quality of life be like? Realistically the city will have to cut the majority of its workers and go down to one police officer, less money means less services. There has been a lot of back and forth conversation trying to work with other cities to see if we can a tax break. I honestly believe the way to fix this problem in the state of Ohio to start an online petition and get the law changed at a state level. No city is going to willingly give up their tax money.
2. What significant improvements do you believe are needed in the City of New Carlisle over the next four years?
New Carlisle is at risk of having to raise its water bill by 35% over a course of 3 years due to lack of maintenance over a span of 30 years. New Carlisle needs to do a better job of position itself for proper maintenance that effects our daily lives. That way we aren’t stuck with massive repairs all at once. I also want to see our community get more involved in slowing down the drug epidemic going on around our area. I want our citizens to be more involved with our police department to let them know of any suspicious activity. If you see something, report it and ask to be followed up with! I’d also love to see New Carlisle have a strong have a strong NA (narcotics anonymous) presence so we can help those who want to beat their addictions.
3. New Carlisle has been identified on the new Clark County CONNECT plan as a location for “Community Investment”. This suggests that the city may be experiencing decline in the existing pattern and character of development. What redevelopment would you like to see to address the “underutilized” sites around the city?
New Carlisle has a wonderful Farmer’s Market, Heritage of Flight Festival, and an incredible New Year’s Eve ball drop. Our downtown knows how to throw awesome events that everybody can enjoy! Our ball parks do a great job hosting games as well. With all that being said, I’d love to see Smith Park be better utilized. My wife and I always enjoy the live concerts and I want to see more of them with better publicity. I think we should have more activities for families, such as an Easter Egg Hunt and Scavenger Hunt activities around the park.
4. How would you encourage businesses and property owners to make improvements to existing buildings?
I would like to help instill some self-pride in New Carlisle to encourage property owners to make needed improvements to buildings. By doing small improvements to public spaces, I think the City can lead by example. Keeping parks and streets litter free, adding to existing landscaping in park flower beds, adding planted flowers downtown, and repainting curb house numbers are all examples of ways to improve New Carlisle and encourage property owners to also make improvements.
5. New Carlisle has little industry, and the burden of financially running the city falls entirely on individuals. What would you do to entice industry to locate in New Carlisle?
We can’t make new land but we happen to have empty buildings in our town. The entrepreneur in me wants to encourage all the talented people in our area to go chase your dream! In order to fill those empty buildings we need to draw in more patrons downtown. The Heritage of Flight Festival and Farmers Market do a great job at highlighting our local businesses. With more activities, such as Holiday Open Houses or First Friday events, we can encourage more consumers and business in New Carlisle. I also think perhaps we should try and expand city limits to make more room for industry opportunities and possibly absorb establish business.
CHRIS SHAMY
Chris Shamy lists his education as US Army Ordinance and Austin Community College. He currently owns a restaurant. He has no previous experience in holding public office. Shamy is seeking election to the New Carlisle Council because he would like to be the voice of the people. He believes it is a good time for him to become involved in the governmental process to represent the people of New Carlisle. He would like to see the city thriving and safe. He plans to work closely with the Clark County Sheriff if elected to help address the drug problems.
1. There is an initiative on the ballot to give tax credits to residents who work elsewhere. This would mean a substantial loss of revenue for the city. What ideas to you have to make up that shortfall if it passes?
This is an issue for the voters of New Carlisle to decide, on Election Day. After the Citizens vote on issue 4 and if it were to pass it would go into effect 15 days after. This would not allow myself or nor any non-incumbent on Council to vote on the recommend cuts. I will have no say in what we could or want to cut; as the cuts council has suggested would go into effect almost immediately. However, if elected and these cuts were to go into effect I would offer strong and stable leadership during those trying times.
2. What significant improvements do you believe are needed in the City of New Carlisle over the next four years?
I have old fashioned values, with a new vision. My 20/20 plan for this city of New Carlisle is all about infrastructure. As a Councilman I will advocate for saving road levy funds so that when the pot builds we can do multiple road repair not just pothole repair. With that by the end of my first term we could have six roads repairs. Also I would support using surplus funds to repair the water tower; instead of passing that cost onto the citizens of the city. I would work with county government to get funds to help take down Madison School; it was offered in the past and council voted NO on taking that money to take it down.
3. New Carlisle has been identified on the new Clark County CONNECT plan as a location for “Community Investment”. This suggests that the city may be experiencing decline in the existing pattern and character of development. What redevelopment would you like to see to address the “underutilized” sites around the city?
The Clark County CONNECT program came to the city recently; and in the plans they presented to council at the meeting had nothing to do with New Carlisle, but everything to do with Springfield. We must work on our own city identity and not just a part of the county; we are the second largest city in the county and have a ton of potential. We utilize the city assets of water, a trained workforce, and by supporting my 2020 plan we would have the infrastructure needed to utilize city sites.
4. How would you encourage businesses and property owners to make improvements to existing buildings?
The why encourage the citizens and businesses owners to make improvements is not by more government regulation but by having the trust and respect of the people. I will make it my mission to go and meet those businesses and property owners downtown and throughout the city so that we can work together to clean up New Carlisle, and make this a place where you want to live and grow a family.
5. New Carlisle has little industry and the burden of financially running the city falls entirely on individuals. What would you do to entice industry to locate in New Carlisle?
New Carlisle has a great many assets which we need to use; we are less than ten minutes away from I-70 and twenty minutes away from I-75. We need to methodically go through the regulations we put on the small businesses; and industry in the city. We have out of date sign regulations; which put a fees on startups. I will advocate for cutting sign and building permit fees to make New Carlisle more attractive for anyone who wants to start a businesses. We must also look to tax abatements by cutting taxes we could become more competitive with neighboring cities.
