VOTE411 Voter Guide

I wish to continue serving the residents of Fall Creek Township with fiscally responsible leadership, along with compassionate and impartial public assistance. We are continuing to develop and add to our local Fall Creek Woods Natural Area. We currently have projects that I would like to see completed as we are awaiting federal approval for construction in a floodway. We are in the process of adding more access, as well as the possibility of more land. I would like to see that through in my next term. I feel I'm uniquely qualified as I have overseen the acquisition and development of this natural area since its inception. I believe a new trustee would not have the knowledge, experience and vision to see this through to completion. This would be a loss to our community and the taxpayer. I believe my experienced team and I have accomplished a lot during my term to make Fall Creek an outstanding township in which to live, work and play.

1. Public Assistance to those who have fallen on hard times. 2. Fire Protection and EMS services for the unincorporated residents. 3. Maintain our Township park, cemeteries and buildings. 4. While not required by State Statute, we maintain an outstanding food pantry to serve the needs of our community.

We strive to be impartial and compassionate, while at the same time being accountable that taxpayer money is used wisely. We are here to assist those who find themselves in a temporary crisis, but not to subsidize poor lifestyle choices. Per State Statute a financial analysis is required of each applicant in order to justify spending taxpayer dollars. While we adhere to these State Statutes and adopted county guidelines, a Trustee does have some discretion as we do look at the totality of each request and the family dynamics. We don't want children to suffer for decisions adults make.

As a Township, most of what we do when it comes to assisting the public is defined by State Statute. We answer to both the Department of Local Finance and State Board of Accounts. If I could change anything, it would be to allow more flexibility in dealing with those who find themselves needing assistance. In some circumstances we are limited as to what we can do for the resident to solve the financial situation they find themselves in as often times it involves needs of transportation, healthcare, childcare and other issues we are unable to assist with. More flexibility would help to solve problems and cost the taxpayers less and get people back on track quicker and less dependent on future assistance.

I believe it is highly unlikely that the Townships would receive $1 million dollars with no strings attached. However, given the uncertainty of future property taxes that local government receives as a result of Senate Bill SEA-1, the money would be a nice a cushion. That said, one of the needs of the community and Hamilton County that has been talked about for years is the creation of a domestic violence shelter. The County was set to break ground on a facility last year, but that is now on hold due to the passage of SEA-1. While this would not just be a Township project, I would propose giving some of that grant to the County if it would facilitate moving this project forward. This is a concern I see, as Trustee, which affects people of all socio-economic backgrounds. I have lived in the community for 40 years and I see this as one of Hamilton County's identified problems that has been talked about but not solved.