All of the candidates said they think the city needs to improve its appearance to attract new businesses and create jobs, but opinions differed about the city's intent to go to the voters for more revenue.
Riverside voters will decide Nov. 5 who they want to represent the city, which is home to a little more than 25,000 residents.
Campbell, 66, has been on council since she was elected in November 2005.
During her tenure, Campbell said the city has reduced expenses by dispatching with Huber Heights and contracting with the city of Dayton for trash collection. The city needs to continue to look for ways to work with other cities to save money, she said.
Recent new development — the Brantwood subdivision, McDonald’s on Woodman Drive and Dollar General on Valley Pike — bode well for future projects, Campbell said.
“We’ll bring in more businesses by cleaning up what we have and making it look nicer,” she said. “If they see that we can’t take care of what we’ve got, they’re not going to want to come here.”
Although Campbell voted earlier this year to put an income tax measure on the Nov. 5 ballot, she said she’s “not real happy about it” now that she’s taken some time to think about how it could financially impact residents.
Riverside is asking voters to pass an income tax rate increase from 1.5 percent to 2 percent — which, if approved, would generate about $1.42 million annually in new revenue.
Denning, 55, has been on council since 2009 when he ran for the first time.
A project manager at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Denning’s focus is to establish a greater sense of community in Riverside and for residents to embrace the city’s personality.
“I do believe in a certain amount of regionalism and working with other communities to get better prices,” Denning said. “But I don’t believe on giving up a community’s uniqueness and individualism.”
Denning is a supporter of the income tax levy because if it passes, the money will be used for capital improvements and equipment. Some of the money generated would go toward fixing residential streets, which is estimated to cost $11.23 million for 144 residential lane miles.
“We need to have a plan,” Denning said. “If we fix the streets to make them look better, people feel better about their homes and keep them up. It will be a snowball effect in a positive direction.”
Lommatzsch, 71, served 10 years on council, but has not been a member since 2005. She currently serves on the city's planning commission.
Lommatzsch said her biggest concern is a lack of long-range economic planning by city leaders, particularly in the Center of Flight area across the street from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
“You can’t sit back and wait,” Lommatzsch said. “You have to be proactive to make things work. They seem to be bouncing balls in the air and nothing is happening.”
While Lommatzsch said the city needs to generate new revenue, she believes taxpayers don’t have confidence in the current council.
“I have a passion for the city of Riverside,” Lommatzsch said. “I can’t sit back and be a watcher. I want to be involved.”
Reynolds, 67, previously served eight years on council.
She said the city’s recent $2.6 million acquisition of the Wright Point office buildings on Springfield Street will help Riverside control its own destiny.
“I really see that as being a boost to the community,” Reynolds said. “We’ve left the future of this city in the hands of too many people who really didn’t care. Now, it’s in the hands of this council. They can make it great.”
Reynolds said she is not in favor of new tax levies. Rather, the city needs to do a better job of seeking state and federal grant dollars to help fund the construction of city streets, she said.
“I don’t think we’re utilizing as many grant opportunities as we could have and should have,” Reynolds said. “We want our city to be a good place to live. We can’t keep going to the community to support every whim. We don’t have a strategic plan in this city and there hasn’t been a strategic plan.”
Schock, 59, has been on council the last six years.
He said his No. 1 priority is to complete the reconstruction of the city’s main thoroughfares, which would improve appearance and increase the chances of luring new businesses.
“If people are looking to buy a new home, they want to know how well the city is doing,” Schock said. “When business people are looking to move office facilities, they’re going to look at areas that give them the best image.”
Schock, owner of PSG Firearms, LLC in Beavercreek, said he is in favor of letting citizens decide what they can and cannot afford with tax levies.
“People have a choice how they want the community to look,” he said. “If they don’t pass it, we’ll have to back off on the streets.”
Small, 35, is a member of the city's multimodal transportation and parks and recreation commissions.
A veteran services commissioner with Montgomery County, Small said he would bring “fresh blood” to council by representing his generation and future generations.
“I’m setting a positive example for my generation,” Small said. “I want to move the city forward. It’s going to take some time and work. But I want to approach the challenge proactively so that Riverside becomes economically viable.”
Small said he’s undecided on levy issues, but would encourage city leaders to schedule town hall meetings to discuss the topic with residents rather than making a “rash, emotional decision.”
“My working constituents are not for a tax increase,” he said. “It’s a real touchy situation, and some residents don’t like being taxed.”
Smith, 57, has been on council the last 12 years.
He said that while the city has made significant improvements to its roadways, it needs to continue to address the failing infrastructure, including upgrading the traffic and street lights.
“There is still work to be done,” said Smith, a realtor. “We want to maintain the present level of services. We’re not looking to expand anything.”
Smith said the “timing is wrong” for the income tax levy because a 4.95-mill police renewal levy is expected to be on the ballot in 2014.
“The residents will make that decision,” Smith said. “Right now, we can’t put money away for capital improvements. We’re really cut thin on the budget.”
Waddell, 55, is a member of the city's multimodal transportation and health and safety commissions.
Waddell, a cake artist, said she wants to advance her political career and get more citizens involved in the community. Developing the Center of Flight with restaurants and retail stores would help generate more interest in Riverside, she said.
“We want people to come to the city and stay in the city,” Waddell said.
Waddell said she’s on the fence when it comes to seeking additional revenue by going to the voters.
“We have people struggling in Riverside, and in one way, you can’t put anymore on them,” she said. “But we have to have the money to repair the roads.”
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