Campaign Phone
6145302284
Occupation
Attorney
Education
BA in English with a concentration in Theater from Swarthmore College, 1986; Juris Doctor from the Ohio State University College of Law, 1992
Qualifications for Office
I have been an attorney for close to 33 years, working for both a Court of Appeals Judge and an Ohio Supreme Court Justice. I have been an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for 25 years, 24 of those years representing the Ohio State Fire Marshal and other State agencies, including boards. For 16 years, I have been certified by the Ohio State Bar Assn. as a specialist in Administrative Agency Law.
The major issue facing Dublin and Washington Township is the explosive growth. This has affected and will continue to affect the school system, governmental services, and the residents’ enjoyment of the community. While the growth cannot be stopped, it can be managed. I believe that with smart planning, sensible zoning, and cooperation among the neighboring local governments, the growth can be managed and the excellent services maintained. The Township’s primary responsibility is the Fire Department and its provision of fire prevention services, fire protection, and emergency medical services. I will ensure that, while the population grows, the Washington Township Fire Department maintains its already high quality and low response times.
I expect to work closely with the Township Fiscal Officer and the Township Administrator to ensure the Township is not holding too much of the budget in unnecessary reserve but also holds enough to ensure that equipment and resources are responsibly upgraded to keep up with necessary technologies so that the Township can maintain its excellent response rates and service. Within the current budget, I hope to:
- maintain the Township’s strong financial position while ensuring transparency.
- work on recruitment and retention efforts to encourage diversity.
- ensure the equipment, training, and code enforcement tools our Fire and EMS personnel need.
- collaborate with the City of Dublin and other neighboring governments to manage growth.
Because Washington Township is predominantly made up of areas incorporated into the City of Dublin, there is very little that the Township can do to alleviate the population pressure. However, it is uniquely positioned to encourage cooperation among the local governments to ensure that the growth is planned so that the Township is enhanced and not overwhelmed. Because all increases in population must be covered with adequate fire prevention and fire and EMS protection, Washington Township must grow the Washington Township Fire Department to meet the growing demand. This will take advance studies and careful planning. I expect to be involved in such activities.
All Township Trustee meetings are open to the public, although not well attended. I hope to be able to increase resident awareness of the dates of those meetings and encourage residents to participate. The Fire Department has several family events throughout the year; I would like to increase those events to bring residents into the fire stations and to meet the trustees, the firefighters, paramedics, and EMTS, and the Township staff. The Township sends out a quarterly newsletter; trustee contact information should be easily accessible.
As an attorney, I prefer to resolve disputes among parties prior to the escalation to litigation. I make sure all voices are heard as to the complaints and the expected outcome. That applies to community disputes as well. All stakeholders must have the opportunity to voice their concerns and desired solutions.
Campaign Phone
6145822040
Occupation
Nationwide Insurance Attorney and Franklin University Adjunct Professor
Education
Miami of Ohio University (History and Political Science) and University of Illinois Chicago for Law School
Qualifications for Office
Our Family is involved in Dublin: coaching, volunteering, and enjoying. I served on the Dublin School Board for 16 years and as a Township Trustee for the past 4 years and seek re-election. I presently coach Dublin's Special Olympics Basketball Team and coached DYA baseball, lacrosse, and DSL soccer.
Our challenges are maintaining our excellent fire and rescue services for Dublin and Washington Township and our 15-year record of not raising taxes. Our Fire Department is accredited by the Center for Fire Accreditation International and holds the highest rating possible from the ISO Public Protection Classification Program: ISO-One. Our Fire Department is 1 of only 123 departments in the USA, and 1 of only 4 in Ohio to achieve both distinguished designations. Our topnotch firefighters work diligently every day to maintain this excellence. Our fiscal responsibility gives Washington Township the lowest fire levy tax rate in Franklin County. We have not raised taxes in 15 years including the 2025 renewal levy (70% in favor).
These Priorities are all equal in importance:
Priority #1 Maintain Accreditation
Priority #2 Maintain ISO-1
Priority #3 Recruitment/Retention/Promotion of professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel with local programs like Tolles Career and Technical School and Columbus State
Priority #4 Mental Health Program awareness and assistance
Priority #5 Washington Township is funded primarily by property taxes. In 2025, the Township asked the citizens of Dublin and the Township to renew a levy. For 15 years, the Township has funded our excellent services with this levy without raising taxes. The levy passed by 70%. Our fiscal responsibility gives Washington Township the lowest fire levy tax rate in Franklin County.
The Township provides fire and rescue services to Dublin and the Township. We partner with Dublin City Schools and the City of Dublin including Ballantrae (Hilliard Schools and Dublin) and Amlin to make sure everyone is safe and all housing options are protected. In the past 5 years, we added the “Quint” Fire Truck to our vehicle fleet. The Quint includes a mechanical ladder that can reach the top of every building in Dublin including Bridge Park and Dublin City Schools’ Emerald Campus. In Amlin, we made major infrastructure improvements making the neighborhood a local jewel.
The Township engages with residents and community stakeholders at events throughout the year by teaching CPR in Dublin Schools, visiting our four hospitals and many senior centers. On October 5th, we host our Fire Station Open House and begin the day with an Elementary School Fire Safety Art Show. Finally, by inviting everyone to our meetings, whether or not a major decision is on the agenda, we work with everyone to build understanding and consensus.
Empathy, transparency, and shared purpose drive our approach. In Dublin and Washington Township, there is a strong bond between the families, businesses, schools, city, police and fire. The Dublin Mayor, School Superintendent, Fire Chief, and Police Chief meet monthly to be proactive on building consensus. This style of resolving disagreements is largely shared by everyone in our community.
Campaign Phone
614-315-9020
Occupation
Attorney
Education
Bachelor’s degree – Ohio State University, 1976; Juris Doctor Degree - University of San Diego, 1979
Qualifications for Office
I previously served as a Dublin City Council Member, as well as Mayor of the City of Dublin. I was also a previous member of the Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission and Dublin Board of Zoning Appeals. Currently, I serve as a Washington Township Trustee.
Our most significant challenge is maintaining a high level of service amid ongoing growth. Currently, we are one of only four jurisdictions in the State of Ohio that are both ISO-1 rated and fully accredited by the Commission of Fire Accreditation. We maintain an average response time of less than six minutes and have not increased our property tax levy rates since November 2010. Our main priorities are to continue providing excellent services while keeping property taxes low for residents. Recently, a City of Dublin poll rated us with a 98% approval. I am dedicated to keeping our fire service strong, effective, and cost-efficient. We have one of the lowest fire levy costs per $100,000 of home value.
The area Washington Township serves is primarily the City of Dublin, which has experienced rapid population growth over recent decades. We are committed to serving our community efficiently and cost-effectively. Currently, we operate four fire stations, with land purchased for potentially two additional stations, which we will build when response times and other factors suggest the need. Despite a period of rapid growth in Dublin, we have not increased our levy rate in over 15 years and have not increased our staffing levels. We will continue to keep property taxes low while maintaining the highest level of services.
Dublin has experienced rapid growth over the past several decades, especially in the last 15 years. Our calls have dramatically increased during that time. In 2024, our department responded to 7,511 emergency calls. We continue to invest in upgrading our fleet and facilities to ensure that we have the necessary resources to effectively respond to incidents. As our community has grown, we have added fire stations and bought two additional parcels of land to allow for more stations if needed. We have responded to this growth with one of the lowest costs per $100,000 in valuation in Franklin County. Our cost is approximately $200 per $100,000 in home value. Other comparable jurisdictions range from $235 to $381 per $100,000 of home value.
We pride ourselves on transparency and engagement while actively listening to residents and stakeholders to incorporate their opinions into our decision-making process. Our 98% approval rating is a result of our strong engagement in our community. We will continue to maintain the highest level of service while keeping the township portion of property taxes low.
We have a strong history of cooperation with the City of Dublin and the Dublin City School District. We do not take this for granted and will continue to foster these relationships. These relationships are crucial as we plan for future growth. Beyond our ties to Dublin, I also serve on the Business Advisory Commission to the Dublin City School’s superintendent. Maintaining open communication between the schools, the City, and the Township is vital, and I am committed to continuing that dialogue and building consensus.
