AAUW hosts annual forum for Hillsboro City Council candidates

The Hillsboro Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women), in conjunction with WVNU-FM and The Highland County Press, continued its longstanding tradition by hosting the 2013 AAUW Candidates Forum Monday at Southern State Community College’s Central Campus in Hillsboro.

All candidates for Hillsboro City Council were invited.

Those participating this year were Democratic candidates: Bill Alexander, Lisa Leeth, Tom Milbery and Bonnie Parr; write-in candidate Tracy Aranyos; and Lee Koogler, the lone Republican who attended.

Six other Republican candidates chose not to attend the annual forum.

Following introductions by AAUW forum committee chair Rosemary Ryan and moderator Pat Hays, general manager of WVNU Radio, which aired a live broadcast of the event, Highland County Health Commissioner Dr. Jim Vanzant opened the event by discussing the renewal levy for the Health Department.

The department is seeking a renewal on the current five-year .5-mill levy.

Dr. Vanzant cited information on services provided, including 6,518 immunizations in 2012, 5,470 of which were for children.

The Health Department also provides cancer screenings, mammograms and other services.

The renewal amounts to $7.84 per year on a property value of $100,000, Dr. Vanzant said.

"The effective millage is .223883," he said. "Highland County has always been good to us, and we surely appreciate the support."

Following Dr. Vanzant's comments and opening statements by the six council candidates, AAUW panelists Sue Hillger, James Matticks and Steve Roush began a series of three questions for each candidate.

Many of the questions and comments focused on the future of the Hillsboro Fire Department and the Hillsboro Police Department, as well as the morale of city employees.

In fact, Democratic candidate at-large Tom Milbery made perhaps the strongest statement of the evening in his closing remarks, saying: "Many city workers are afraid to speak their mind out of fear of losing their jobs. This is unacceptable."

Hillger began the questioning by asking Ward 4 candidate Bill Alexander: "On Oct. 4 of this year, you voted to authorize the City Administration to enter into negotiations with the Paint Creek Joint Fire and EMS District for 2014. If the city enters into a contract with Paint Creek, what funding changes can taxpayers expect (relative to paying Paint Creek), and what will be the future of the new Hillsboro Fire Station?"

Alexander replied: "The Finance Committee has studied the issue and received information from city auditor Gary Lewis and the city administration. There are two major possibilities: To negotiate with Paint Creek for 2014 and beyond; or, to continue to work with our fire department. We have asked the city administration for more information."

With questioning continuing in alphabetical order, Roush asked Ward 3 write-in candidate Tracy Aranyos: "Please explain your position on either maintaining the Hillsboro Fire Department or entering into a contract with another Fire and EMS District?"

"Whatever's going to give the city the most savings," Aranyos answered. "If the numbers were similar, I would lean toward having a voice of the board with Paint Creek (by joining the district rather than contracting). I would face it the same way I do my household budget."

Matticks then asked Council President Lee Koogler: "In December 2012, city council voted to accept a recommendation for Wagoner Insurance for the city's 2013 employee health insurance. Five months into the agreement with Wagoner Insurance, the city administration changed brokers – in spite of previously recommending a lower bid from the local broker. Do such actions undermine the will of council?"

"I was not happy with the (mayor's) decision not to speak to council," Koogler said. "There's a difference of opinion on the issue. I do not agree with the decision. I like the idea of shopping local."

Koogler declined further comment, saying the city is facing potential litigation on the issue.

Lisa Leeth, a candidate for Ward 2, was asked: "As an uptown Hillsboro businessperson, what are your thoughts on the city's proposal to enact a stricter code to address vacant commercial buildings?"

"There is a problem with some vacant buildings, but the first proposal was very vague," Leeth said. "Could it deter business? Yes, it could be a hardship for some people."

Council-at-large candidate Tom Milbery's initial question was: "The city taxpayers have funded outside legal counsel at a cost approaching $100,000 in 2013 alone. At one point, would you find such legal expenses alarming, given that the city also pays its own law director?"

"I would find that outrageous," Milbery said. "It seems we have trouble knowing the law. I would want to know the law before enacting legislation that might be contrary to law. We need to examine this beforehand. I think a lot of people feel disenfranchised. If we look at contract law, we can avoid this litigation."

At-large candidate and incumbent Bonnie Parr's first question was: "Please tell us your opinions on the city maintaining its police and fire departments. Do you feel the city is better served by its own police department and its own fire department, or do you think it's time to contract with other service providers?"

"I totally believe in our Fire/EMS and police department," Parr said. "I think we need to keep our people here. I'm having a hard time with what's going on. I would like to keep both the fire department and the police department."

The second round of panel questions began with Hillger asking Alexander: "At the June 2013 city council meeting, there was discussion related to the Colony Theater and the formation of a new city partnership with the theater. When the city had ownership of the Colony Theater several years ago, it was a liability to local taxpayers. What assurances would you seek before committing new tax dollars to the theater?"

"Anytime we're committing new tax dollars, we want to see how it's being presented and how it will be spent," Alexander said. "I'm hoping we are able to do something and maintain (the theater)."

Aranyos's second question from Roush was: "As a relative newcomer to city council, please share with us some of your first impressions of serving on council, and what areas of city government are you most focused on?"

"I've learned that it's a lot of work, not just a once-a-month meeting," Aranyos replied. "I'm definitely learning a lot and focused on all areas."

For Koogler's second question, Matticks asked the candidate: "It was recently announced by the city that longtime Community Housing Improvement Program administrator Peg Beekman has resigned. What are council's concerns for the city's CHIP program after losing more than 25 years of experience brought by Ms. Beekman?"

"I think anytime you have change, there's a concern," Koogler said. "But you have to move forward and find somebody who is qualified to administer the program."

Koogler also said he was not aware of any potential candidate who would fill Beekman's role.

The uptown zoning issue was the next question for Leeth, as Hillger asked: "Are you in favor of expanding the city's historic uptown business district with commercial zoning in some residential areas?"

"I like our uptown area," Leeth answered. "I would not want to expand it into our residential areas. I love it the way it is."

In other questioning, Milbery was asked: "Considering the region's continued high unemployment of 9.2 percent and lower than state average income, what assurances would you expect from council as it enters into negotiations for fire and EMS services? And what are your thoughts on city property owners who may be faced with both the current earnings tax as well as a new property tax for these same services?"

"We have to have priorities. We have to abide by the law," Milbery said. "We have to get all the principals involved and negotiate. Part of the key is communication, and always be mindful that we are budgetary strapped."

Another round of questioning for Parr included: "You have, on a number of occasions, voted against the majority of council on certain issues. Sometimes those votes have been popular, sometimes less so. In what ways do you find that voters appreciate your independence, and in what ways do you find others who would prefer that you go along with the majority?"

"I don't go along with the majority, I go along with what I believe the people want," Parr said. "People say that they appreciate what I've done for the community. I vote how I feel."

Regarding the recent discussion in the local lodging/excise tax, Koogler was asked: "In an advisory opinion earlier this year by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine related to a hotel lodging tax, the Attorney General said: 'This tax may not be levied by ordinance or resolution if a municipal corporation or township is wholly or partly located in a county that has in effect a resolution levying an excise tax." Highland County's 1995 lodging tax pre-dates the city of Hillsboro's 2005 lodging tax by 10 years. How does the city address this apparent double taxation on city motel operators and customers?"

"I'm aware of the issue. I brought it to the city administration's attention," Koogler said, noting that he had met with Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins to discuss the lodging tax.

"Our legal adviser has given an opinion. It is not my job to give legal opinions to the city of Hillsboro," Koogler, who is a local attorney, said. "I have to defer to the law director and how it has been remedied."

The city ordinances, under Chapter 116, Section 116.10, do refer to a "lodging regulation; tax."

In their closing comments Monday evening, all candidates in attendance thanked the American Association of University Women and WVNU Radio for hosting the annual informative event.

"I think the public benefits when they hear from the people who represent them," Alexander said. "The city of Hillsboro is limited in financial considerations. We can't borrow money like the federal government. We have to balance our budget."

In her final remarks, Aranyos said: "We have a lot of hard decisions to make. It's impossible to make everyone happy. I'd like to help move the city forward on other things and get citizens involved, and not with a 'my way or the highway' attitude."

Koogler began his closing comments by saying, "It's easy to govern when times are good. It's not so easy when times aren't good. 2007 was much easier. We are a government of diminished resources.

"Cuts in local government funding (from Columbus) – which is how the state balanced its budget – have hurt." Koogler said the city must balance its (financial) priorities with how to best serve the public.

In her closing comments, Leeth told voters: "I would never make a decision without listening to the citizens I represent. I love our town."

Milbery closed by saying "There are three things we can do: Communication, cooperation and inclusion. I think this is contagious."

Milbery said he's willing to give the same dedication on council that he's given to the Hillsboro City Schools through many years of teaching and coaching – including to those who serve the city.

"Many city workers are afraid to speak their mind out of fear of losing their jobs. This is unacceptable," Milbery said.

Parr closed by thanking the AAUW and saying she would appreciate voters' support on Election Day.

Pat Hays wrapped up the AAUW forum by thanking Dr. Jim Vanzant and the city council candidates who chose to participate. He added, "Just for the record, all Hillsboro City Council candidates were invited."

On behalf of the AAUW, Rosemary Ryan also thanked everyone who attended.

Ryan, who served 18 years as an elected Republican office holder in the city, also briefly referenced the six Republican candidates who opted not to attend, as well as comments prior to the event that this was an intentional slight.

"It (the Republican Party boycott) shows a lack of respect for the many contributions of AAUW in light of the fact that the organization has sponsored this forum – without criticism from either political party – for more than 25 years," she said.

Ryan also extended a special thanks to Steve Bikowski and Southern State Community College.