Incumbent Trustee Ron Casey is facing a challenge from Craig Anderson in the November election.
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When questioned for the Dayton Daily News voters guide, Casey said the township “was prepared to act quickly following the Memorial Day tornado.”
“We followed our prepared disaster plan and were on the ground minutes after the tornado struck performing safety checks of affected houses. We were also able to clear the debris on the roads within 48 hours to allow safety and repair vehicles access to the affected neighborhoods,” Casey said. “The township decided to open one of our fire stations as a donation drop-off/pick-up site and volunteer reception center. We operated this facility for over two weeks and assisted over 300 families with food and household supplies. This was done with the assistance of over 100 volunteers. The township also coordinated volunteer efforts in the neighborhoods which aided in the cleanup of debris from the affected properties.”
Anderson said he believes the township should be doing more.
“Without a doubt, I feel as if the township should be doing more. Like many of my potential constituents, in an instant, my home was demolished,” Anderson said. “Individuals came together with donations of material items and necessities, but I often wonder what our elected officials plan to do because as I see it now, I drive through this neighborhood each day and it’s like the tornado just happened yesterday.”
In the weeks before Election Day, the tornado damage is weighing heavy on the minds of township voters.
Dale Robinson, who is an Ohio University student from Harrison Twp. said he thinks recovery efforts have “died down.”
“We saw that (action) a lot the first couple weeks after but I feel like it’s died down, I don’t see a lot of change going on,” Anderson said. “Definitely the people that are racing for those positions, I just want them to help my city get back to where it was. Those spaces that were torn down, we can build something up right there when we get those funds and get the ability to do that.”
Resident Maurice Matthews said where money is being allotted while the township recovers from the tornado is something he is concerned about.
“Help the areas that still need help. … I would hope they would make any kind of effort to help things or pass something to get the funds. I mean, even at Sinclair Park, that’s still tore down. A couple of the businesses moved, the tornado changed the face of Harrison Twp. and Dayton as a whole.”
Election complaint
Casey, the current Harrison Twp. Board of Trustees vice president, filed a complaint with the Montgomery County Board of Elections, saying Anderson, filed his petition to run under a vacant address. Anderson said his home was destroyed by the tornado.
“My concern was, when he filed, I knew where he had filed from. And he filed from a vacant house. … And I said wait a minute. So I wrote up a complaint … When I found that he had filed and it wasn’t truthful and it was a vacant house… It just didn’t make sense all the way around.”
Anderson said he didn’t find out he was being investigated by the board until a week and a half after he submitted a new petition to run on Aug. 7.
“When I finally found a place, I immediately went to the Board of Elections and told them everything that was going on and I immediately changed my address,” Anderson said. “I moved in with my grandmother.”
After a change of address, Anderson discovered he must complete and submit a new petition under his current address at his grandmother’s home where he now lives. On Aug. 12, Anderson said a sheriff showed up at his grandmother’s and informed him that he was being investigated by the Montgomery County prosecutor. Anderson said he was never told by the Board of Elections when to expect a hearing.
“I heard from word of mouth that ‘Yeah, you need to get down there, this is your hearing, you need to defend yourself,’” Anderson said.
A hearing was held with the board on Aug. 27 and Anderson’s petition to run in the November general election was declared as valid.
What’s next?
Casey says the township is now “working to provide a long-term recovery system that focuses on individual recovery assistance for our residents and community recovery that focuses on planning, updated disaster policies and coordinated efforts to recover economically and structurally.”
He said the process will take many years.
“I feel we will be a stronger more resilient township once complete,” he said.
Anderson said the township needs to help residents deal with the trauma caused by the tornadoes.
“People are out here traumatized and left in despair with little to no guidance from the current board,” Anderson said. “Mental Health issues are real and they matter and to pretend like this does not have a negative impact on that is foolish. At minimum, I think that there should be an effort from the elected officials to implement counseling and group therapies to be available at no cost for the folks who are suffering to remain healthy and stable while also trying to get back on their feet.”
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