DaytonDailyNews.com

GREENE COUNTY COMMISSION

Sutton's experience will help Greene

Jerry Sutton is a longtime resident of Greene County. He was raised on a family farm in South Dakota and arrived in Fairborn after graduating from college and being commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. After serving his military obligation, he was hired as a civilian engineer at Wright-Patterson. Over his 30-year career, he progressed from engineer to program manager to the highest management levels at Wright-Patt.

As executive director of aeronautical systems at the base, Sutton oversaw billions of dollars of expenditures for research, development and deployment of major aircraft and weapon systems. He was always fiscally conservative and saved the Air Force many millions of dollars. Because of his reputation, he became the director of acquisition reform at HQ Air Force Materiel Command.

While working at Wright-Patt, Sutton completed an evening law school program. He also has a couple of master's degrees and advanced training in executive management and mediation. This training, along with his experience working with all levels of military personnel and business executives, will enable him to work effectively with the other county commissioners, as well as state and local government officials. He is keenly aware of our current economic situation. Greene County will have a decreasing budget, and hard decisions will have to be made regarding services and projects.

Donna Wilson

Fairborn

Republicans can vote for Sutton, too

It is called the "Woody Woodpecker" approach to elections. If a county is overwhelmingly Republican or Democratic, then all you have to do is win your party's primary and you are in. It doesn't matter who you are — even Woody Woodpecker could win.

Marilyn Reid is the latest test of this approach. Head to head in Republican primaries against the likes of Steve Austria or Alan Anderson, she gets clobbered. But when she runs against a large field of good candidates from all over the county, as she did this year, she manages to slip in with well under a majority of the votes.

Why can't Reid get even 50 percent of her own party's support? The answer clearly is, in my opinion, because she has a long history of questionable ethical behavior.

Republican voters have a better choice this time — Jerry Sutton. The Greene County Dailies said, "He is well-educated and well thought of in both Democratic and even Republican circles."

Make an informed choice and say no to Marilyn "Woody" Reid. Vote for Jerry Sutton for Greene County commissioner.

Mary Cargan

Yellow Springs

CENTERVILLE SCHOOL LEVY

Residents deserve yes vote on Issue 51

If Centerville stands for one thing, it's quality education. The entire region knows this fact.

Teachers spend hours outside the classroom planning, grading, in meetings, and continuing their own educations. In the classroom, teachers deal with the huge range of educational, emotional and physical needs of their students. Principals keep the whole school running smoothly — which is no small thing in such a large district. These are demanding jobs, and they deserve every penny of their salaries and more.

In the past, our teachers have shown their dedication by taking a pay freeze to keep the district financially healthy.

Our school district has been exemplary in budgeting, in educating our children and in improving our community. They deserve — we deserve — a yes vote on Issue 51.

Charlene and Matt Kochensparger

Centerville

Good schools help whole community

As longtime residents of Washington Twp., we support the Centerville City Schools levy. Although we no longer have children in Centerville schools, we know how vital the schools are to our community. A strong school system attracts businesses and residents, maintains property values and, most important, successfully educates our children for the future.

In these uncertain economic times, one thing remains certain — Centerville City Schools are an extraordinary asset to the Centerville/Washington Twp. community. Their consistent academic excellence, wide variety of sports and extracurricular activities, highly qualified teachers and responsible fiscal management provide taxpayers an incredible return on investment.

We believe protecting our investment in education benefits everyone in our community.

Gerald and Deborah Sibert

Centerville

7th U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Austria works for base, vet families

Patriotism is defined in Webster's dictionary as "zealous love of one's country." It can also be defined as Ohio Sen. Steve Austria.

Austria has been an ardent supporter of the military and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base since he first came into office many years ago. Whenever called upon, he has been there to welcome home our troops from combat; he makes it a point to try to speak to each one.

Austria's personal concern goes beyond WPAFB. When a military spouse was denied benefits for her child and herself while her husband was in the Army, Austria was instrumental in seeing that all benefits and honors afforded her husband were granted.

WPAFB is one of the most important entities in the economy of the state of Ohio, and there is not one who cares more about that than Austria.

I hope you join me in supporting Austria for Congress.

Candy Prystaloski

Beavercreek

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

McGee should be re-elected

I was truly disappointed that the DDN chose to endorse all local incumbents with the exception of Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Frances McGee. The DDN wrote that she hasn't created any "major blunders." In view of that, along with the fact that she has served in her present position for a year, one would imagine there are qualifications and experience lurking somewhere in her background.

In reference to the call for better candidates, I believe she went through a rigorous process to be chosen for her 2007 appointment. The governor did not have to select her. She was one of 12 candidates, which included Judge Mary Wiseman. She survived two selections, and each time the group was scrutinized. Didn't the selection committee include Dayton City Commissioner Joey Williams, University of Dayton Law Professor Thomas Hagel and Ohio State Bar Association President Gary Leppla?

During McGee's year on the common pleas court, I have heard attorneys, perhaps other than the 20 percent to whom you referred, who consider her to be very fair in her rulings. She is also seen by a number of local citizens as someone who has not allowed her move to "go to her head" and is admired for her humility. I hope the Greater Dayton community will make a decision to elect Judge Frances McGee to another term.

Lelia A. Austin

Trotwood

HUBER HEIGHTS INCOME TAX

What'll happen if tax is reduced?

Huber Heights City Council has not explained why a reduction of its city income tax is needed, other than saying that, if it passes, they will be "forced to evaluate" all operations. We only have 185 employees to provide all services for a city of 39,500. Does that statement mean we will see fewer police, firefighters or EMS personnel responding to emergency situations or have enough other staff to address neighbor deterioration and plight?

Council promises to build a new fire station north of Interstate 70. It doesn't say where it will get the funds for the land, building or operational expenses with less money coming into the coffers.

If it is not built, there will be increased emergency response times as the area develops. This will jeopardize our Class 2 Fire Department rating, as both fire stations are located one mile south of the Interstate. That well-earned Class 2 rating means lower property insurance costs for everyone in the city.

What about the loss of income of those who live outside of Huber Heights and are employed in the building construction trades? They pay our income tax whenever they work with Huber Heights as well.

Sherwin Eisman

Huber Heights

Mr. Eisman is a former mayor of Huber Heights.

GREENE MR/DD RENEWAL LEVY

Maintain support for MR/DD

Our son Michael has used most of the services provided by the Greene County MR/DD Board. The board provides a lifetime of services, starting with preschool and including therapy, counseling, adult services, job placement, supportive living and more.

Mike is 47, and when he first needed services, there was no preschool, adult services or residential program. Through the years, many parents and professionals helped develop needed services.

Now Greene County definitely has a wonderful and complete program for MR/DD people of all ages and needs. Please keep these services in place by voting to renew Issue 23.

This issue does not increase your taxes.

Betty and Ken Turvy

Xenia

79TH OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT

Stanley better choice for district

The logic of the DDN endorsement of Richard Adams for the 79th Ohio House District was interesting because it appears as though the newspaper is criticizing a candidate (Melissa Stanley) for seeking input from Republicans before deciding upon entering the race as a Democrat. Maybe that decision comes from her theme of "People Before Politics" and is something to be commended instead of condemned.

The editorial noted she "boned up" on the issues of education, health care and jobs for the area and the state. She has studied tax codes, worked in the state legislature and has talked one-on-one with many of the residents of the district.

The paper makes her youth and her attitude of bipartisanship sound like a crime, while her opponent is a "stellar pick" because of his conservative record. You listed several areas in which Stanley wants to focus in the legislature, yet no goals were listed for Adams — just that he is a conservative. Is that label enough to justify his election?

Adams has certainly been active in local politics for many years, and Stanley is relatively new to the political scene. But a fresh outlook, the vigor of youth, the thirst for results, the desire to make a difference — these are the traits of Stanley, and what most of the people of the 79th District want in their state representative.

Tom Ringer

Piqua

MIAMI COUNTY

Hartman, Stanley deserve votes

Was it stereotypical thinking or just inadvertent? Two women, Judy Hartman, candidate for Miami County commissioner, and Melissa Stanley, candidate for the 79th District Ohio General Assembly, participated in the candidates' forum in Troy on Oct. 23. Why did only pictures of men candidates, including Hartman's and Stanley's opponents, show in another area paper the next day?

During the forum, both women proved how superbly qualified they are in every way for serving in the positions they seek.

They were articulate and specific in proposals for bringing needed changes.

Stanley and Hartman have devoted months of their lives on their excellent campaigns. They care deeply about the people and the area they will serve.

Stereotypical thinking may cause us to overlook new and talented candidates who deserve to be elected. Please vote for Melissa Stanley and Judy Hartman.

Marie Peterson

Troy

BELLBROOK/SUGARCREEK TWP.

"Stop annexation" issue will result in merger

I have some concerns about Issue 9 to "Stop Annexation in Sugarcreek Twp." The information that has been distributed and endorsed by members of the Sugarcreek Twp. Zoning Board and township trustees is misleading.

There are fewer than 100 houses (less than 1 percent of the township population) that have the possibility of being annexed to Centerville, and in order for this to happen, the property owners must sign petitions for annexation. This has not happened. Centerville cannot take our township without a petition signed by the property owners first.

The trustees and merger committee are using fear tactics that could result in annexing our properties to the City of Bellbrook. Bellbrook taxes are much higher than those in Sugarcreek Twp., and the city has tougher zoning regulations. When we moved to Sugarcreek Twp., we purchased the land knowing what type of government we had. Now my rights to live in the township might be lost.

A merger is an annexation. There is now way around it. If this Issue 9 passes, the outcome of the study will be to merge with the City of Bellbrook.

Why penalize the 99 percent of Sugarcreek Twp. residents who like the country life? As long as we keep our customers happy, they will stay in Sugarcreek Twp.

Marlene Moeller

Spring Valley

MILTON-UNION SCHOOL LEVY

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here

One thing we taxpayers have to do is support our community, and that means supporting our schools.

Milton-Union has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build all new schools with 56 percent of the project paid for by the state tobacco settlement money. We will have to build a new school at some point. Building it now with 56 percent paid for is the most inexpensive and logical option.

As a local taxpayer, parent and farmer, I support the school levy. We get to fund our 44 percent portion of the project with an earned income tax. I think our senior citizens have worked hard to support their communities, and the earned income tax allows them to get a little break at a time in their lives when they deserve it.

Let's do the right thing and build our kids a new school.

Ty Hissong

Troy

Fixed incomes won't be hurt by levy

As a senior citizen in the community of West Milton, I think the Board of Education's decision to use an earned income tax is a good thing. We seniors have supported our communities all of our working lives, and now we get to have new schools for our kids and community by voting yes for the levy, and if we are on a fixed retirement income, we don't pay this particular tax.

By passing the income tax levy, we will be able to get our 56 percent share of the costs paid for from the state tobacco money. From what I understand, that will never be available again. It certainly would be a shame to pass up such a financial windfall and watch it go to some other school.

Jim Vallieu

Ludlow Falls

XENIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Levy, bond issue fiscally sound ideas

Those in the Xenia Community Schools family know that, as school treasurer, I am extremely tight with money.

The opportunity to receive almost $58 million from the state to renovate or replace our school buildings could not be more fiscally prudent. We are asking the voters to pay almost $80 million in order to have new, or almost new, buildings throughout the district. The Ohio School Facilities Commission has estimated that it would cost more than $100 million just to renovate our buildings to bring them up to state standards.

We are asking the voters to support a 0.5 percent income tax and a 4.2-mill bond issue to pay for our $80 million share. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the bond issue amounts to only 35 cents per day, or 26 cents per day for seniors.

Many of you questioned the way the ballot language reads concerning the income tax portion, since it reads "for the purpose of paying current operating expenses." This will not be used to pay for teachers' salaries. State law requires that we word the income tax in that manner. Since the bond issue will only pay for a little less than $42 million of the $80 million that will be needed for this project, the income tax must be used to pay for the balance of the $80 million and for the state-required maintenance levy.

We sized the 0.5 percent income tax so that it would cover the balance and the maintenance costs, but no more.

This is not the time to turn our backs on Xenia's children and on the Xenia community.

Rosalie Townsend

Xenia