Opiates, job growth key for Kettering candidates
Three candidates are running for two at-large seats on the Kettering City Council this November.
At least one new member will be elected, because Amy Schrimpf is not running for re-election. The three candidates for those seats are incumbent Bill Lautar and challengers Griffin Derr and Jacqueline Fisher.
We asked all three candidates what they would focus on if elected. Here’s a look at what they said: Q: What are the biggest problems facing the community? What do you propose doing to tackle these challenges?
Griffin Derr: The invasion of opiates has ruined lives in Ketter-
ing. To solve this problem locally education needs to be made more widely available, and addicts should no longer be afraid of ridicule or prison for coming out and asking for help (also you might be surprised how much of an impact the war in the middle east has on the invasion of opiates). People are leaving the city and Kettering’s population is getting older and older leaving less room for a strong work force. This issue goes hand in hand with the businesses that have been leaving Kettering, and if the businesses can be encouraged to stay the people will be too. Property taxes are too high and the money is not being properly spent by the city. We need to stop taxes from going up by better regulating how the city’s taxes are spent. Maybe for the first time people should have a say in where their taxes go.
Jacqueline L. Fisher: As founder of the Kettering Backpack program, I know there are hungry children/ families in our community. My leadership to establish the program is a small reflection of my passion to uplift our residents to their next level of potential. It’s important to keep our unemployment stats low, but we also need to enable the families to increase their earnings. Therefore, my primary focus areas will be on strengthening economics by increasing median household incomes. My vision includes establishment of a multi-purpose community center which will assist those with transportation issues. This will allow our working poor to obtain multiple services in one location (food pantry, CDC, health care, etc). Additionally, I plan to also apply my followership energy towards the Opiate issues.
Bill Lautar: I believe that economic development or redevelopment is currently Kettering’s biggest challenge. The city of Kettering needs to attract businesses to create jobs and tax revenue for the city. This will allow us to continue to provide the level of services that the community wants. Our economic development team must continue to entice potential businesses but must also assist current businesses to help them grow.
Q: What would you do if elected to make life better for residents?
Griffin Derr: Make sure property taxes don’t go up anymore by properly allocating the taxes the city already collects. Make sure tenants are treated fairly by their landlords. Make sure people with disabilities and the elderly are properly taken care of by their government without straining the taxpayer base.
Jacqueline L. Fisher: Kettering is home. Radical change is not required. As a resident we sleep comforted knowing our safety is priority and during our waking hours we have multiple amenities. All of this results from good use of our tax dollars and good economic development. Expansion of amenities continues with bike path growth and business growth. Kettering offers well balanced services to live, work and play as to compared to many of our surrounding cities.
Bill Lautar: We are blessed in Kettering with a wide range of services that make life great for our residents of all ages. Public safety is second to none. The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department is a national award winner. The Lathrem Senior Center and Senior Resource Center serve the unique needs of so many of our residents. Our community enjoys special amenities such as the Fraze, Kettering Ice Arena, and Rosewood Arts Center. The city has great working relationships with the public and non public schools. I will strive to continue and build on these services, amenities, and relationships.