Candidates exchange ideas, opinions at 2012 AAUW forum

Candidates exchanged a few barbs and a few out-and-out differences of opinion Monday evening at the 2012 AAUW Candidates Forum.

Held each year on Columbus Day at Southern State Community College, the forum is presented by the Hillsboro Area Branch of the American Association of University Women, in conjunction with WVNU-FM and The Highland County Press.

Candidates participating included: Peter Pence (91st House District race), Cliff Rosenberger (91st House District race), Tom Horst (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 3 term), Randy Mustard (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 3 term), Brenda Losey (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 2 term), Shane Wilkin (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 2 term), Gary Heaton (Highland County Treasurer race), Vickie Warnock (Highland County Treasurer race), Larry Burns (Highland County Recorder race), Chad McConnaughey (Highland County Recorder race), Anneka Collins (Highland County Prosecutor race) and Kimberly McGuire-Haines (Highland County Prosecutor race).

"We thank all 12 candidates for their attendance and participation," event coordinator and AAUW forum committee chair Rosemary Ryan said. "I also must thank Pat Hays for moderating the forum. Our panelists, Sue Hillger, Jimmy Matticks and Steve Roush, our timekeepers, Gary Lewis and Virginia Purdy, and Southern State Community College."

The forum was broadcast live on WVNU-FM, 97.5 MHz and was moderated by Pat Hays, general manager of the station.

The forum's panel included AAUW member Sue Hillger; longtime newspaper editor Steve Roush; and newspaper columnist Jim Matticks. Hillsboro City Auditor Gary Lewis and AAUW member Virginia Purdy served as the forum's timekeepers.

The forum was recorded by Terry Mikkelsen and Tech-T Productions and can be viewed at http://www.livestream.com/techt/video?clipId=pla_d6f9e816-ac38-473d-92a2-f59f7d7560e3&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb.

Following opening remarks from the hosts and candidates, questions from the panel began with Hillger asking Peter Pence: "As state representative, what specific issues would you want to focus on for Highland County? And what qualifications do you bring to accomplish those goals?"

Pence, a Democratic candidate, replied: "The No. 1 issue is jobs. Through the departure of DHL, Highland and Clinton counties took significant hits."

Pence said he would focus on small business job growth. He pointed to his experience in private business and as finance committee chairman for Hillsboro City Council as some of his qualifications for the state representative's seat.

Roush then asked Cliff Rosenberger, the Republican incumbent state representative: "Since Senate Bill 5 – on public-sector pension reform – did not pass, why would you be in favor of seeking new efforts at pension reform, or why is our current system acceptable?

Rosenberger said pension reform has been recently addressed by the General Assembly in a bipartisan effort and in cooperation with the five state pensions.

"The people of Ohio voted (against SB 5). They made their voice loud and clear," Rosenberger said. "We get that."

He said the state is taking suggestions from all pension plans and working together on reforms.

The panel then addresses candidates for county commissioner, beginning with Matticks asking Democratic challenger Brenda Losey: "As recommended by the County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio, how would you include the local public in budgetary discussions and decisions so as to give them a voice in the process?"

"I think we always have to remember who we are serving," Losey said. "We have open meetings, but we also need to make it conducive to when people can be there. We need to be available, and we need to listen."

The first round of questioning continued with Hillger asking Republican incumbent Shane Wilkin: "What is the state of the county’s 2013 budget? What actions do you propose to improve its condition for the next fiscal year?"

"We have received the initial requests from department heads," Wilkin said.

He said the preliminary requests came in at "just over $9 million, up from $8.5 million in 2012.

"We'll sit down with each officeholder … and give them a final number." Wilkin added that commissioners respect the department heads' decisions on how to achieve their respective budgets.

Tom Horst, a Republican incumbent, was then asked: "There have been varying opinions on the public use of the Highland County Courthouse lawn area. Please explain your position regarding public use of the courthouse lawn."

"The public use of the courthouse lawn – we're evaluating it," Horst said. "We've had a lot of volunteer work – with no tax dollars. Lowe's seeded the grass. Judges Rocky Coss and Kevin Greer used money from their special projects fund. What we're trying to do is keep the courthouse in pristine condition."

Horst said the current policy bans grills, tables and tents from the courthouse lawn.

The commissioner also was asked if park benches might be returned to the courthouse square.

In mentioning why a park bench was removed, Horst said, "One of our local residents was using a bench for a bed – the individual was asleep on the bench with his pants half down. Not a pretty sight."

Horst said there are new benches at the Veterans Memorial on the southwest side of the courthouse.

Democratic challenger Randy Mustard's first panel question was: "In July of this year, the Ohio Department of Taxation informed Highland County commissioners that the county will receive $151,000 annually from taxes on Ohio’s first two casinos. In addition, county sales tax revenues are up $320,000 from last year. What are your recommendations regarding the future disbursement of these $470,000 in new revenues?"

"There are lots of uses," Mustard said. "The Veterans Service Commission, an economic development office. The sheriff's budget has been cut. That (money) could be put to good use getting people back to work."

Questioning Anneka Collins, the Republican incumbent prosecutor, the panel asked: "Earlier this year, there was public discussion regarding a May 31 county commissioners’ meeting and the Ohio Open Meetings Act. In fact, your office was contacted about this meeting. Please explain the county prosecutor’s role in providing legal advice to other public offices."

Collins said she was advised there was an issue with the May 31 commissioners' meeting. Collins said it was an issue of whether the commissioners "recessed the meeting rather than adjourn."

"We talked about it and came up with ways so it won't happen again," Collins said.

Collins also noted that her office represents the commissioners, and it does not file litigation against them.

Roush followed with the first question for Independent candidate for county prosecutor Kimberly McGuire-Haines. "A prosecuting attorney works with law enforcement agencies as well as providing legal counsel for county and township offices. What skills and experience do you bring to the prosecutor’s office to fulfill this job description?"

McGuire-Haines responded that "As a practicing attorney for 15 years, I've been both (on the prosecution and defense sides). (The prosecutor) needs to create a working relationship with all agencies and the community. … I will be tough in the courtroom, but I will treat everyone with respect and professionalism."

Independent candidate for county recorder Larry Burns' first question was: "The county recorder maintains permanent records of land transactions and enforces more than 1,000 sections of state law in the Ohio Revised Code. What skills and experience do you bring to the recorder’s office to fulfill that job description?"

Burns said he started his career working for McCarty and Associates and that "Lowell McCarty was my mentor."

"I've surveyed all my life," Burns said. "I've had a good rapport with property owners – so they didn't shoot me. I've been out in the weeds and snakes and snapping turtles."

Republican candidate for recorder Chad McConnaughey's first question concerned the local budget. "Highland County has been forced to make a number of budget modifications during this economy, and all county department managers have been involved in this. Where do you see opportunities to reduce spending within the county recorder’s office?"

"Currently, the office has one staff member in addition to the recorder," McConnaughey said. He said he brings 17 years of surveying experience and the "bulk of that time is in the office." McConnaughey said he would use his technical experience to scan documents "back in time" as well as scanning forward. "I would like to have digitally stored records. Recording documents properly is most important."

In the county treasurer's race, Gary Heaton, the Democratic challenger, was asked, "A primary duty of the county treasurer is the role of tax collector. What have you done – or what do you propose – to better serve the public within the role of tax collector?"

Heaton said that with many cuts in local government – including the treasurer's office – part of his plan would be to donate a portion of the treasurer's salary back to the office. Heaton also said he would be a full-time treasurer and had no plans to seek another county office in two years if he's elected.

The panel completed its first round of questions by asking the incumbent treasurer, Republican Vickie Warnock, "As a member of the Highland County Investment Advisory
Board, please explain your general thought process regarding investments of the public dollars. Do you favor some diversity in order to maximize returns, or do you favor the ‘low-risk’ approach?"

"I favor a low-risk approach," Warnock replied. "Because of the funds we are working with, we do need to diversify later on. We have invested some funds. You have to be careful with the legalities of where you put this money."

All candidates were asked three rounds of questions by the AAUW panel.

Among the second and third round issues:

• Both candidates for state representative agreed that they were opposed to State Issue 2 (the redistricting amendment).

In fact, Pence said, "I think it's a shame I even have to answer this question. We have much bigger problems. My position is no. I think it is well-intentioned. But there's uncertainties with the cost, possible litigation and it would require Appellate Court judges to make political appointments. I think there are other ways it can be handled."

Rosenberger said, "I agree with my colleague. … I would urge a 'no' vote on Issue 2."

• When asked her thoughts on budget cuts vs. tax increases, Losey said she would usually agree to budget cuts "as much as possible."

"If the need (arose) to raise taxes, I would do it as a last resort." She said Greenfield recently worked through a very difficult budget.

• Wilkin was asked about transparency in government and also: "While serving in public office, have you been in any business partnerships with other elected officials? Also, please share your thoughts on public officials being in private business partnerships and what potential conflicts could arise."

"As far as transparency, I'm in complete agreement with it," Wilkin said. "We are as transparent as we can be. Stop in and see us at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays."

To the question regarding a business partnership with other elected officials, Wilkin said at the time he was elected four years ago, he had a partnership (with other public officials).

"Prior to taking office, I worked as a licensed Realtor. Part of my income was buying and selling property. I have owned property with another elected official that continued due to our inability to liquidate that property," Wilkin said. "That relationship no longer exists."

He said if a situation arose where a potential conflict might exist, he would seek an opinion from the county prosecutor.

Wilkin also said his business partnerships are listed on his Ohio Ethics Commission Financial Disclosure Statement.

• On a question about her views on the death penalty, Collins replied: "My personal belief – I'm 150 percent in favor of the death penalty."

She also said a good prosecutor has to make decisions based on the law and weigh what is logical and possible. "Don't go after something you can't achieve," Collins said.

• On multiple occasions, both Horst and Mustard referenced funding for the Veterans Service Commission.

• In closing statements, the two candidates for county prosecutor exchanged rather lively barbs.

While pointing out that the prosecutor's job is a service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Collins said it's also not "a job you learn by practicing in other counties and avoiding the Highland County felony courtroom as my opponent has. Just because a person may have practiced law longer does not make them the most experienced prosecutor – no more than playing high school baseball makes you ready for the World Series."

McGuire-Haines, in her closing comments, talked about her 15 years of experience – in and out of the courtroom. "Being the Highland County prosecutor takes more than just working in the courtroom, it takes working well with others outside the courtroom," McGuire-Haines said.

"When I learned that (former Highland County prosecutor) Jim Grandey had retired and then been rehired as Ms. Collins' assistant prosecutor, I decided it was time to take a stand. I will work for you. I will work for all of you – whether you were born and raised here, or if you moved here two months ago."

• Heaton, in his final statements, quoted former President John Adams, when he told the Continental Congress: "I fear our decisions would be dictated by noise, not sense; by meanness, not greatness; by ignorance, not learning; by contracted hearts, not large souls. There must be decency and respect introduced for persons of authority of every rank, or we are undone."

Moderator Pat Hays thanked all the candidates for serving, for taking time away from their families and businesses and the respect "you have shown one another."

The 2012 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.