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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 > 15
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Editorial: Young, Paulson, Berry best choices for Washington Twp.
2009 ELECTIONS
Politics in and around Washington Twp. is returning to something like normal these days, in the wake of turmoil about “the merger,” that is, whether the township and Centerville should merge.
The idea was rejected overwhelmingly by township voters in 2008. The township doesn’t have an income tax, while Centerville does.
The issue will keep bubbling in one form or another, just because merger makes so much sense, and the township can’t keep asking for property tax increases to fund services. But, certainly, for the near term, the idea is dead.
Non-merger issues:
Not long ago, the south end of Montgomery County had no bigger problem than managing growth. Those days are gone.
The area has a special problem attracting young people, because of the price of real estate and the relatively big size of single-family lots — an acre being common.
Meanwhile, the township government is facing the kinds of budgetary problems faced by all levels of government these days.
The township has three trustees. All are on the ballot, in two different races. In one contest, incumbents Joyce Young, 74, and Lee Snyder, 74, are opposed by Scott Paulson, 33. The top two vote-getters take office.
Ms. Young has been a particularly visible participant in community affairs for decades, not letting the polio she contracted at 18 stop her even now.
Mr. Snyder owns Snyder Concrete Products, a major supplier of bricks. In 2006, he was alleged to have an interest in a condo development he had voted on, and to have voted on two other projects that involved his company.
It was a messy situation. The charges came from a township employee who was put on leave the day he made the allegations, then returned to his job.
The allegations also involved then-Trustee (now state Rep.) Terry Blair. They were found to be without merit by the township law director, after which the case was sent to the state ethics commission. No charges have been brought.
As a 2006 Dayton Daily News editorial said, there is no evidence of favoritism, much less corruption. Mr. Snyder is a respected community servant.
But there’s a recurring problem, if not a legal one. Mr. Snyder says he has to recuse himself on “four or five” votes a year. There are other judgment calls. Not an ideal situation.
Mr. Paulson doesn’t raise the issue. He is running as young blood. He says the township could use a younger face, with an eye particularly on the problem of attracting younger people.
(In the other race, all the candidates are in their 60s.)
Mr. Paulson’s appeal is somewhat undercut by the fact that he has only been in the township four years.
But he is serious about community involvement. He’s volunteered for the art institute and the March of Dimes and has gone through the Dayton Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Dayton” program.
A 1999 graduate of the University of Dayton, he is a partner at Advanced Engineer Solutions.
His call for a little age diversity makes sense. And Mr. Snyder’s occupation has to weigh in here.
Ms. Young and Mr. Paulson are the best choices.
In the other race, Dale M. Berry is the incumbent, by appointment of the other two trustees when Rep. Blair went to Columbus. There were about 20 applicants for the opening, some quite well qualified.
Now Mr. Berry is running for the final two years of that four-year term.
A self-employed real estate agent, he has been active in community affairs, both at the township level (on the zoning commission) and in the broader community (including as president of the board of realtors).
He has an especially good fix on the lack of housing for young people.
He has two challengers. Harry Drain is a former five-year trustee. His background is similar to Mr. Berry’s, including service on the zoning commission. He is in aerospace sales.
Also challenging is Kenneth Parks, for 34 years the township fire chief.
Any of the three would be a good choice. They are on the same wavelength on issues. The challengers make no particular critique of the incumbent. Mr. Berry is the best choice.
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