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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > October > 14 > Entry
Editorial: Schrimpf, Spolrich best for Kettering City Council
2009 ELECTION
Kettering is in a relatively good place right now. Its tax burden isn’t too high and it offers solid community services.
The big question is how to keep the momentum going at a time when the local economy is in decline and the city’s once-strong manufacturing base is a shadow of its former self.
Two at-large seats on the city council are on the Nov. 3 ballot. Four challengers have joined the two incumbents in the race.
The incumbents are Frank Spolrich, a retired Kettering principal elected to council in 2006, and Amy Schrimpf, who formerly worked for the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District. Ms. Schrimpf, who was appointed to replace Peggy Lehner who went to the statehouse last December, left her job at the Transportation Improvement District to focus on this race.
The four challengers are:
• Timothy Allison, a supervisor at Kroger’s Springboro store;
• Ed Smith, a Dayton attorney;
• Debbie Waker, a teacher and former bank administrator;
• Ashley Webb, operations manager for a flooring distributor. While some of the challengers are good candidates with strong resumes, Mr. Spolrich and Ms. Schrimpf deserve to keep their council seats.
Mr. Webb and Ms. Waker argue that the city should be more hospitable to business. Ms. Waker, in particular, talks about the hurdles she faced helping her husband launch a small company in Kettering. She may have a point about the need to nurture small business more directly.
But the city overall has been proactive in pitching itself as a good place for business, especially by marketing its business parks at the former Defense Electronic Supply Center and in Research Park on the city’s east side.
A deep understanding of the local business community and its needs is a strength for Ms. Schrimpf. In her former role at the chamber of commerce, she worked closely with businesses. She was also deeply involved in developing the Austin Pike interchange along I-75. Those experiences should help her serve as an economic development ambassador.
Council picked Ms. Schrimpf from a pool of 28 applicants that included Mr. Webb, Ms. Waker and Mr. Smith. Given her chamber of commerce contacts, she was politically well-connected. But she was also a good choice.
Mr. Spolrich brings a long history of community service to the job. He is focused on quality-of-life issues — maintaining strong basic services, as well as assets that distinguish the city, such as quality parks and recreation.
Beyond his 40 years as an educator in both public and private schools (he was principal both at Fairmont High School and St. Albert the Great Catholic School), Mr. Spolrich has served on community boards in support of parks, youth health and the city’s annual Labor Day festival. He has demonstrated a deep commitment to the city and his knowledge of its people and institutions inform his decisions on council.
In this race, the incumbents are the best picks.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: 2009 endorsements, Editorials, Scott Elliott, Suburban Communities
Comments
By Emily
October 14, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this
I count four challengers and a brief description of one position shared by two of them. What about Timothy Allison and Ed Smith? Are they unqualified? Do Waker and Webb bring any of the same strengths to the table as the incumbents or add new ones? Pretty poor editorial, DDN.
By Eric
October 14, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
Where’s the beef? Did anyone at the DDN get out from behind their computer screen to research this race? Were the challengers not worth the effort? I’ll choose to discount this editorial as more lazy reporting on the part of Belcher and Gottleib!
By Concerned Kettering Citizen
October 14, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
If Kettering Council is doing such a great job then why did our Waste Management rates go up so steeply in a down economy? I read the Kettering website explanation but it still shows we don’t have enough real business experience on the council to negotiate a better deal for the people of Kettering. This article fails to mention so many strengths of the other candidates and wants us just to go on with a “good enough” approach. No thanks. I won’t be following your recommendation. There is little info about Waker but really none about Webb (very qualified) and the other candidates. Two seats are open - let’s fill them with two more effective people!
By Right on
October 14, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this
I’m glad the paper chose to recognize two candidates with strong, proven records of supporting our city. We need leaders like Spolrich and Schrimpf who take pride in Kettering, and recognize it’s value while working to make it an even better community. Experience counts!
By Scooter
October 14, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
I am voting against the incumbent Kettering City Council members including Schrimpf. I want candidates who will pledge to cut city government and lower our taxes. We pay as much as Oakwood residents and have failing schools. The City Manager must also go. He is King of Kettering and we need new vision and someone who will not ask for more and more spending every year. The population of Kettering has declined over the years but spending and the size of government continues to increase. Let’s get some new ideas and some new thinkers in office.
By chambermember
October 15, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
I know Amy from when she worked the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and think she is a great pick for Kettering Council. She was always very professional and had a clue about what was going on in the region.
By kettering voter
October 15, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
Schrimpf is definitely a keeper. She is highly qualified and brings exactly what the council needs - fresh ideas and new perspective (youth).
By Kettering Resident
October 16, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this
I think the DDN was correct in their recommendation. With their experience and dedication, both Schrimpf and Spolrich are good choices and should be retained on the council.
By Finally...
October 19, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
Finally, I can agree with something the DDN has written. Typically, you lean to the far left and as liberal as can be. Kettering is solidly run, with minimal corruption and waste. The current City Manager and Council look out for the best interest of their community and how to best spend tax dollars. Why must people always compare Kettering to Oakwood? Apples and Oranges… seriously, people. So you pay taxes, so do many other people with little to no services provided to them. The main thing Kettering can continue to work on is attracting new, white collar jobs to the area and improving schools!
By Finally...
October 19, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
Finally, I can agree with something the DDN has written. Typically, you lean to the far left and as liberal as can be. Kettering is solidly run, with minimal corruption and waste. The current City Manager and Council look out for the best interest of their community and how to best spend tax dollars. Why must people always compare Kettering to Oakwood? Apples and Oranges… seriously, people. So you pay taxes, so do many other people with little to no services provided to them. The main thing Kettering can continue to work on is attracting new, white collar jobs to the area and improving schools!