2011 Fall Election Xenia, Ohio Voters Guide

State Wide Issues

Ohio Secretary of State web site about the Issues with Arguments for and Against.

Issue 1

If approved, Issue 1 would raise the maximum age when one can become a judge from 70 to 75.

Issue 2

According to the League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund, Issue 2 would: “Affect public employees, in particular, teachers, firefighters and police. Prohibit public employees from striking, eliminate binding arbitration as a way to settle contract disputes, require performance based pay for teachers, establish a minimum that public employees must pay for health insurance and pensions, allow the governing body (public employer) to impose its own last offer to settle a contract dispute.”

A “yes” vote on Issue 2 would affirm Senate Bill 5, which was signed into law by Governor Kasich this year, and enact the provisions stated above.




Issue 3

Passage of Issue 3 would make it illegal for Ohioans to be forced to buy health insurance or participate in any health care system. This attempt to block key provisions of Obamacare would likely be challenged in federal court, but it would be a clear signal that Ohioans wish to assert their 10th Amendment rights against a blatantly unconstitutional and potentially disastrous overhaul of a huge portion of the national economy that would greatly diminish personal liberty for every American.

Greene County Issues

Issue 13

Xenia Community City School District

Emergency Levy- Additional

4.8 mills- five years- Commencing 2011 ($147/year on a 100,000 house)

(Xenia School Board Statement)

Issue 14

Greene County Career Center

Permanent Improvements- Renewal

0.75 mill- five years- Commencing 2011 ($16/year on a $100,000 house )

(Greene County Career Center Statement)

Issue 15

Greene Memorial Hospital

Operating Levy- Renewal

0.5 mill- five years- Commencing 2012 ($13/year on a $100,000 house )

(Website)

Xenia City Council 4 to Elect

John Caupp (Website)

Michael Engle

Josh Long (Website)

Dale Louderback (Website)

Xenia, Greene County, Ohio November 2010 Ballot

Here is the copy of Xenia's November 2010 Ballot. Please be informed when you vote.

JD's Voter Guide Xenia, Ohio, Greene County, Ohio Nov 2010

Each election I feel like it is harder to come up with a voting guide. As I learn more about each issue, I realize how the decisions at the polls effect the people I know. I also feel the more I learn about each issue the more complex it becomes, sometimes there are no easy answers, or immediate solutions. This guide is just my opinion. I try hard not to hold to a single party, I'm backing people from the Republican, Libertarian, Constitution and Democratic Parties. I attempt to find the best person for the position, regardless of their chance of winning. I do not ascribe to the "the lesser of two evils" philosophy. In general I look for people who give us more liberties, fight corruption and push for transparency in government. I hope this guide provides useful information even if you don't agree with me.


JD’s Voters Guide November 2010 Xenia, Greene County, Ohio

Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- John Kasich & Mary Taylor (Republican) Not sure about his wall street background. Concerned about his lack of gun rights record.
* Ken Matesz & Margaret Ann Leech (Libertarian) End the Ohio income tax and school choice

- Dennis S. Spisak & Anita Rios (Green)

- Ted Strickland & Yvette McGee Brown (Democratic)

Attorney General

- Richard Cordray (Democratic)

- Mike DeWine (Republican) Moderate to Liberal Republican. Concerned about his lack of gun rights record.

- Marc Allan Feldman (Libertarian)

* Robert M. Owen (Constitution) Pro-life. Pro-gun rights, non-interventionist foreign policy.

For Auditor of State

*David Pepper (Democratic) Has a great record of cutting waste, taxes and spending. Will work to increase government transparency.

-Dave Yost (Republican)

-L. Michael Howard (Libertarian)

Secretary of State

* Jon Husted (Republican) Cut some red take to attract business to Ohio

- Maryellen O'Shaughnessy (Democratic)

- Charles R Earl (Libertarian) Could not find much info on his website.

Treasurer of State

-Matthew P. Cantrell (Libertarian)

*Josh Mandel (Republican)

-Kevin L. Boyce (Democratic)

US Senator

- Daniel H. LaBotz (Socialist)

* Rob Portman (Republican) We need Republicans in the Senate as a check and balance to the White house

- Micheal L. Pryce

- Eric W. Deaton (Constitution)

- Lee Fisher (Democratic)

US House of Representative (7th)

* John D. Anderson (Libertarian) He is for a return to Constitutional Limits. Read his issues page. Very well thought out.

- Steve Austria (Republican) Austria is one of the more liberal republicans

- Bill Conner (Democratic)

- David W. Easton (Constitution)

State Representative (70th)

* Jarrod B. Martin (Republican) Endorsed by a lot of conservative groups

- Michael Stewart Watters (Democratic)

County Commissioner

- Steve W. Key (Democratic)

- John P. Williamson (Libertarian)

- Alan G. Anderson (Republican)

Since on one here bothered to have a web page. I cannot provide a recommendation.

Chief Justice of the Supreme court

- Eric Brown

* Maureen O'Connor - conservative/republican choice see endorsements

Justice of the Supreme Court

* Judith Ann Lanzinger - conservative/republican choice see endorsements

- Mary Jane Trapp

Judge of the court of the Common pleas

*Mike Buckwalter - conservative/republican choice see endorsements

-Joe Graf

Issue #3 Xenia School Renewal Level 11.4 mils

For me this is $618/year tax

This is issue was the hardest one for me to decide on. I know the public schools kids will benefit from the money. I'll be happy with public school families if it passes. If any of the following were true I probably would vote yes on it, but that is not the case.

- School would be more forth coming about how the money is to be used or what exactly would be cut if it fails.

- The City of Xenia keeps trying to raise the income tax 28%, did you get a 28% raise?, I don't think the city should.

- County auditor is over appraising property values to keep taxes up.

- Some type of tax break for private school or homeschooling families.

Issue #4 Roads and Bridges .25 Mils Renewal

For me this is a $14/year tax. This is a good deal to maintain roads and bridges. This is a legitimate function of local government.

Issue #5 Greene County Combined Health (Replacement and Increase)

No -

For me this is a $44/Year Tax

Not much money at stake here. I'm not convinced that this is a legitimate function of local government.

Issue #9 Xenia Income tax .5% income tax INCREASE

No, No, and NO!

This would makes Xenia income tax one of the highest in the state. This would put Xenia at a competitive disadvantage. Anyone who sells goods or services knows they can't simply solve revenue problems by increasing the price, the same applies to Xenia as well. Higher income earners will avoid living in Xenia in favor of living in locations with no local income tax. In the end Xenia will have less tax revenue as people look for alternatives to Xenia. If Xenia wants to increase revenue it needs to make this city attractive to people by simplifying the zoning laws, regulations, and cutting taxes. The majority of this tax would go to re-hire police and firefighters. Perhaps the police and fire could raise money through donations? This works for our churches. Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate very much our police and firefighters. Theses are hard economic times, hard decisions need to be made, we cannot tax our selfs into prosperity. For the record I did advocate a small property tax increase in 2009 which would have gone to police, fire and street maintenance.

Issue #10 Minimal Fire and Police staffing levels.

NO!

This is bad for Xenia is so many ways. Police and Fire consume about 75% of the cities expenditures. This could bankrupt the city. There is no provision to reduce staffing if the city population goes down.

Issue #11 Allow Xenia to utilize volunteers, temporary and/or part-time firefighters, police etc.

Sure. If have no problem with this. If both 10 and 11 pass they would contradict each other and I'm sure they law suits would fly.

JD's Voter Guide Xenia, Ohio, Greene County, Ohio May 4th Republican

Here is my recommendations for Xenia, Ohio, Greene County, Ohio May 4th Republican Primary Ballot. I'm only including the contested races. I was unable to find much information about the judges. Their websites did not have much substance and I am relying on solely the option of Virgil Vaduva. As always, I welcome anyones else's recommendations, there might be other considerations that I failed to see.

For Auditor of State

*Seth Morgan True conservative fights to lower taxes, listed out the issues he cares about on his website and I agree with his view on all of them.

David Yost

For Secretary of State

Jon Husted

* Sandra O'Brien More conservative of the two options, check out her issues page.

For Representative to Congress (7th District)

Steve Austria

* John Mitchel Opposes the Iraq and Afghanistan War. He is a champion of Liberty.

For Judge of the Court Appeals (2nd District)

Mike Hall

* George Reynolds Recommended by Virgil Vaduva

For Member of State Central Committee, Man (10th District)

Joseph Haines

David Kearney

(no recommendation)

For Member of State Central Committee, Woman (10th District)

Ashley Knowlton

Brenda K Lewis

*Cynthia J Bieghler - Tea Party Rep.

For State Representative

*Jarrod Martin Recommended by Virgil Vaduva, 2nd &10th amendment advocate.

Bill Miller

For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

Raymond Dundes

David Mesaros

*Mike Buckwalter Recommended by Virgil Vaduva

For County Commissioner

Alan Anderson

*Virgil Vaduva Ron Paul supporter, believes in small limited government, and personal freedom. He strongly opposes Xenia Income tax. He will say no to a lot of the current nonsense in Greene county politics. Virgil is so well spoken, I'll just let you read for yourself why he is running. The following is copied from his election website:

Here is what I pledge to you, should you vote for me as county commissioner:

1. I will do my best to eliminate or lower tax rates in the county.
2. I will work to eliminate the bureaucracy which has been creeping in, making it a hassle for people to create businesses, build homes and work in our county.
3. I will find and promote ways to encourage people to reside in the county rather than seeking ways to leave the county due to high taxes and bureaucracy.
4. Improve communication with county residents by an improved website and electronic means, and by making the budget, finances and salaries of all county employees more easily accessible to all. Such information should be easily accessible via a well-designed website where residents should not have to ask for it or go to great lengths
   to obtain it.
5. Lastly, I will only accept a $1 a year salary; it is disgraceful for an elected official to accept $60,000 a year in taxpayers money for sitting in a few meetings each month and signing paperwork.

For County Auditor

*Dick Gould Not endorsed by Luwanna Delaney, our current oppressive auditor. He will demand FAIR and ACCURATE appraisals of your property.

David Graham

Ohio Issue #1 To Extend the Ohio third Frontier Program by Authorizing the Issuance of Additional General Obligations Bond to Promote Economic Growth

NO No way I'm voting for more debt in our state

Ohio Issue #2 To change the location of the Columbus Casino

No It was not a good idea to grant monopoly privileges to casinos. Even dumber idea to put the longitude and latitude in the Ohio Constitution of said casinos, so no, you are stuck with the dumb law and location.

Local Issue #7 Proposed Municipal Income Tax City of Xenia

NO I'm not against police and fire fighters, but as I understand it, the City of Xenia only needs to raise half a million to pay for the current police and fire coverage, not the 2.5 million that the tax will raise. I don't think the city has been wise with their money. They used tax payer money to fund advertisements for this levy, this is not at all fair. This tax would also put Xenia and one of highest taxed cities in the state. This would put the city of Xenia at a competitive disadvantage for attracting new families and businesses. Why is the city asking me and other families for more money, when city workers get a raise, and while many in the city are taking pay cuts or facing unemployment. I think we should fund the shortage with donations and not through force of taxation.

Republican Primary Ballot May 4, 2010 Greene County Ohio

To promote education in the election process here is a copy and the Republican Primary Ballot May 4, 2010 Greene County Ohio (Xenia) ballot.

Not voting

Tomorrow, us Xenia folks have to opportunity to vote on a massive expensive new school system. The good news is that the state of Ohio is going to match almost dollar for dollar what Xenia will raise in increased property taxes. This just drives me crazy, personally, I don't think we need to spend 85 million dollars on schools. True some of our schools are falling apart and need replaced, but why do we need the Cadillac version? I'm not trilled about paying $365 a year for 28 years in extra property tax. But I would like to see nicer schools, but I don't think it's fair to the families who home school or families who pay to sent their kids to private school. With increased property taxes comes the possibility that families could not afford the higher taxes. With all this turmoil in my mind, I think that I am not going to vote. I'm going to be unhappy either way, that is unless this vote fails and we vote yes for far less extravagant new schools in yet another election later this year.

City of Xenia Operating Levy

Tomorrow February 3, 2009 we in Xenia have an opportunity to vote on an increase on the city operating levy. This is an increase of 1.5 mils. According to my property tax calculator this would increase my taxes by $6 a month. While I hate paying higher taxes and I hate the idea of property taxes in general. I feel in this case that my money would be used on expenses that local government should be spending money on. I not thrilled this this tax increase may force some other homeowner to pay higher taxes when they cannot afford it. However,I feel that $6 a month shouldn't break anyone. I emailed Jim Percival, the city Manager and Mark Bazalek, the Finance Director. Here is their responses.

Thank you for your interest in the February 3^rd tax issue on the ballot. The tax levy additional dollars would be utilized to cover any cash flow shortfalls from general operations. These general operations include police, fire, and street maintenance as illustrated in the insert with the utility bill. Any amount generated over our two month operating reserve requirement can be utilized for general capital improvements. Capital improvements projected for 2010 include replacement of fire and police equipment and vehicles, the City share of grant funded projects like the Jamestown Bikeway Connector and the West Main Enhancement Project which would improve the gateway in to our City. Basically the dollars would be utilized to maintain, and improve if the economy turns around, the level of service to the citizens.

Mark Bazelak

Thank you, for inquiring about the request on the ballot February 3. The City of Xenia funds the majority of our Capital improvements through the surplus generated in our Key Operating Funds. In 2003 we were generating less income than we were expending, and we eliminated 15 positions across the board at that time. We have projected our revenues and expenditures over the next 10 years, and if nothing changes we will be in a negative cash flow position in 2010. If you wish I would be happy to share the projections with you.

The short answer to your question is that the revenue generated will be used to support capital purchases and projects. We have and will continue to do everything that we can to keep our costs contained; however, there are several costs that have risen that we cannot control. Two examples are salt and asphalt. Our cost for road salt rose over 30 % this past year. We are using this resource as tightly as we can but no one can control Mother Nature. The cost of asphalt doubled last summer; therefore we could only complete half of the projects that we had hoped. Without additional revenue we cannot keep up with the projects that need to be completed. These are only two examples, there are many more costs that have risen significantly even in the past couple of years.

Again, thanks for your inquiry. If I can be of further assistance please contact me.

Jim Percival

City Manager

JD's Voter Guide

The following is my personal recommendation for how to vote for all offices and issues on the ballot in Xenia, OH. Feel free to leave your opinion, perhaps you can educate me and I'll change my mind. I did my best to include the web sites of each candidate, but I was unable in every case to find their site. I did not include the races where a person was running unopposed.

President (Very Important)

• JD's Pick -> Chuck Baldwin (Constitution Party) or Bob Bar (Libertarian Party)
• Richard Duncan
  
• John McCain (Republican Party)
  
• Cynthia McKinney (Green Party)
  
• Brian Moore
• Ralph Nader
• Barack Obama (Democratic Party)
  
• Write In_________

• I'm advocating voting for anyone other than McCain or Obama. Both continue to play Santa Clause trying to buy votes for promises they cannot keep. Both voted for the bailout and both are for an interventionist foreign policy. Both will sink our county into debt and allow the Fed to create money out of thin air. I feel we need to take a stand and vote no to more of the same. Voting for the lesser of two evils in still evil.
  

Attorney General (Very Important)

• Richard Cordray (D)
• Mike Crites (R)
• JD's Pick -> Robert M. Owens
  

• Robert Ownes in endorsed by the Constitution and Libertarian Parties. I think this position should not be held by a partisan person. Robert Owens would protect our civil liberties and our economic freedom.
  

Ohio Secretary State Information on the State Ballot issues.
State Issue #1 (yawn) To provide for earlier filing deadlines for statewide ballot issues

• JD's Pick - Yes
• Earlier deadlines make it harder for dumb laws to be voted on? If anyone has another reason to vote yes or no let me know. I'm open to changing my mind on this issue.
  

State Issue #2 (Important) To authorize the state to issue bonds to continue the clean Ohio program for environmental revitalization and conservation

• JD's Pick - No

• Since this is not an emergency, I'll vote no to more debt.
  

State Issue #3 (Why are we voting on this) To amend the constitution to protect private property rights in ground water lakes and other watercourses.

• JD's Pick - Yes

• I'll always vote yes to protect private property rights.
  

State Issue #4 Withdrawn by the petitioners' committee

State Issue #5 (Very Important) Referendum on legislation make changes to check cashing lending sometimes known as "Payday lending," Fees interest rates and practices.

• JD's Pick - NO
  

• The government should never set interest rates, or keep a database of who borrows what.
  

State Issue #6 (Very Important) To amend the constitution by initiative petition for a casino near Wilmington in southwest Ohio and distribute to all Ohio Counties a tax on the Casino

• JD's Pick - NO

• Ohio constitution should not dictate a monopoly for a casino. This amendment also dictates the location. The amendment would preempt local zoning laws. May also increase crime.
  

Representative to Congress 7th District (Important).

• JD's Pick -> Steve Austria (R)
  
• Sharen Swartz (D)

• I hate to say this but I'm voting for Austria because he is a republican. We need as many republicans in office to fight with the Democrats. This is a vote for gridlock. He is Endorsed by National Rifle Association (NRA) - "A" rating And Ohio Right to Life

State Senate 10th District

• Roger Tackett (D)
  
• JD's Pick -> Chris Widener (R)

• Chris is Endorsed by Buckeye Firearms Association.He appears to be a great tax cutter.
  

2nd District Court of Appeals (Not sure how important)

• Jeffrey E. Froelich
• JD's Pick -> George B. Reynolds

• I liked his speech at Cedarville more than the other guy's.
  

Commissioner (Somewhat important)

• JD's Pick -> Eddie K. Baumann (D)
  
• Rick Perales (R)

• Eddie Baumann is a professor at Cedarville University. I read his website and I like his ideas for the commissioner position. I think the local government needs new people and new ideas.
  

Commissioner (Somewhat important)

• JD's Pick -> Marilyn J. Reid (R)
  
• Jerry Sutton (D)

• I like the idea of having a fiscal conservative at the commissioner position. I also think have a Democratic and a Republican commissioner is a good balance of power. Her Cedarville speech.
  

Recorder (Needed Position)

• Eric C Sears (R)
  
• Mary Taylor (D)

• Why do we vote on this position? Maybe we should vote on custodians? I not no clue who is better or worse. Just make sure the properties or recorded on time. Anyone got an opinion on this?
  

Treasurer (Important)

• Corinna Grooms (D)
  
• JD's Pick-> James W. Schmidt (R)

• James is the current treasurer, as far as I can tell he is doing a fine job.
  

State Board of Education 10th District (Important)

• Jane Sonenshein
• JD's Pick -> Jeffrey A. Hardin
• John McHenry

• Jeffrey is a fiscal conversation who thinks school should be controlled locally. He had good things to say about private and home schools. He also did not seam excited about no child left behind.
  

Xenia Issues

(Very Important)
#20 Xenia Community City School District Income Tax- Bond Issue
4.2 Mills
$132 per year on a 100K house
1/2 % Income Tax Increase
$194 per year on the average family income of 43K

JD's Pick -> NO

• This is a hard one. Clearly Xenia schools need physical help. If this passes we get about half of the money *free* from the state of Ohio. However, I don't like the location of the new school. I think we should negotiate with the state for a *cheaper* school that we can afford. This is a large tax increase during hard economic times. We need to be careful that the Xenia tax rates do not force people to move out. We don't want to build a school that is half empty.
  

(Not sure how important)
Greene County Children Services Board Replacement/Increase- Operating
1.5 mills
$48 per year on a 100K house

JD's Pick -> No

• I don't know how important this service is. If in doubt I'll vote no on a tax increase. If it is important, I'm sure we will get a chance to vote on this tax again.
  

(I do not really care)
Greene County Greene Memorial Hospital Renewal- Operating
0.5 mills
$16 per year on a 100K house

JD's Pick -> No

• I think hospitals should not be funded by the government. This is only $16 a year so not a big deal if it passes.
  

Greene County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Board Renewal- Operating
3.5 mills
$111 per year on a 100K house

JD's Pick -> NO

• Again this is not a something that should not be funded by the government.
  

Greene County Mental Health and Recovery Board Replacement/Increase- Operating
2 mills
$63 per year on a 100K house

JD's Pick -> NO

• Mental Health needs two taxes?