NEWS

Finances, city services center stage at mayoral debate

Chris Balusik
Chillicothe Gazette

CHILLICOTHE — What should Chillicothe residents be looking for in their next mayor?

Republican Nancy Ames feels it's the experience brought by her eight years on city council, widespread community involvement, commitment to communicating with constituents and local businesses and ability to work well with department heads.

For Democrat Luke Feeney, it's about his education and legal background, his experience managing both city employees and a city budget and his leadership qualities that he feels will help build collaboration and partnerships.

Independent Joe Sharp believes his status as a lifelong resident of the city, previous experience on city council, community involvement and demonstrated leadership in civic organizations and in running a trio of businesses make him the best fit.

Mayoral candidates Luke Feeney, left, Nancy Ames, center, and Joe Sharp participate in a town hall Tuesday evening at the YMCA of Ross County.

All three had the opportunity to make their case on the issues that mattered most to a nearly standing-room-only crowd at the YMCA of Ross County during a mayoral town hall Tuesday evening co-sponsored by the Chillicothe Gazette and YMCA.

They responded to more than a dozen questions provided by the audience or in advance via email on issues ranging from the city's financial picture to improvements to city services to strengthening city services to tackling drug and nuisance issues.

In some respects, the candidates appeared in lock-step with each other. A question on whether the candidates would look to privatize city services such as refuse collection, water, sewer and safety services, for instance, brought a definitive no from Feeney and Ames. The former said he sees no advantage to bringing in a private company to run city services and that the real focus should be on improving what he feels are already solid offerings with strong customer service. The latter said as a council member she has been involved with privatization discussions a few times during her eight years on the board and that it was never found to be cost-effective, especially when considering the loss of control that goes along with it.

Sharp said he does not favor privatization and has no plan to do so, but that he's learned to never say never and pointed out that there are some tasks handled now for the city under contracts with private companies.

All three candidates spoke passionately about a desire to find good uses for the Armory building in Yoctangee Park, in support of implementing a curbside recycling program, in getting fire department manpower increased and reopening stations as early into 2016 as possible with safety levy funds and in wanting to improve the visual appeal of the city.

Jonathan Putnam poses a question to mayoral candidates Luke Feeney, Nancy Ames and Joe Sharp in a town hall Tuesday evening at the YMCA of Ross County.

There were subtle and significant differences that cropped up in the questioning, however.

A common theme for Sharp throughout the evening revolved around a need to build the city's financial carryover to closer to double where it currently stands. Getting the city's reserves to what he feels is a more stable amount would allow staffing cuts of the past to be reversed, open the door to pursue hiring of someone to go after grant funding, improve enforcement of parking and abandoned building issues, allow for a better effort on the city's curb appeal and help advance projects set forth in plans like the city's Streetscape, he said.

Feeney brought a message of preparedness, opportunity and collaboration, whether it be successfully meeting the city's fiscal responsibilities, creating an environment college graduates want to return home to or hiring someone to actively pursue grant funds that would help boost revenue and lead to a growing ability to handle other needs. Creating opportunities for business growth and addressing quality of life issues that make the area attractive to both existing residents and those arriving here in the future are also priorities, he stated.

Ames said city government in her administration would be more business-friendly, with encouragement of momentum already building toward the downtown becoming more of an entertainment and residential locale that the downtown business community can capitalize on. Returning large-item pickup, exploring new ideas for handling yard waste issues, bringing back staffing for city services, exploring potential Joint Economic Development District opportunities with surrounding townships and exploring how land banks could help address problems with abandoned buildings were among priority issues she discussed.

All three candidates acknowledged the city's drug concerns, with Ames praising efforts already being undertaken to help rehabilitate people who are addicted through such programs as drug court while pledging a firm stance going after those who are bringing drugs into the community.

Feeney talked about a multi-faceted approach that includes utilizing the safety levy money to ensure a well-equipped, well-staffed and well-trained police force, along with building relationships between law enforcement and the schools in an effort to reach young people before they are faced with drug choices.

Sharp agreed with the importance to reach children at a young age and said he will encourage citizen involvement in reporting problems in their neighborhoods and then using patience while police build a case.