Thursday, October 28, 1999
Rapid growth is campaign theme in Butler Co.
BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION TOWNSHIP — Candidates for trustee seats in two of Butler County's fastest-growing communities fielded questions from voters Wednesday evening that more often than not dealt with growth.
Though the four trustee candidates are pursuing seats in different townships — Union and Liberty — a common theme of rapid expansion and its ramifications ran through the public meeting at Lakota West High School.
“Liberty Township continues to rapidly change,” township trustee candidate David Kern told the nearly 100 who attended the candidates forum sponsored by the Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce and the Lakota Parent Council.
“Our government needs to be far-sighted and responsive to the needs of township residents,” Mr. Kern said.
Liberty Township's population is estimated at more than 20,000, up from 9,200 in 1990.
Fellow Liberty Township trustee candidate Don Gene Elam said the township's history of sensible expansion gives it a firm foundation for taking advantage of such growth.
“Liberty Township has rich heritage ... but it also has a promising future,” Mr. Elam said.
Both candidates pointed to their varied experience in business and other township offices, and their knowledge of the township, as assets. On Tuesday voters will elect one to fill Liberty's open trustee seat.
Union Township is larger and has grown faster than adjacent Liberty Township. Less residentially oriented, Union Township's future may require more of a bal ancing act between residential and commercial growth, said candidates for the township's one trustee seat.
“We can't shut out growth ... but the tax base has to be protected in our community,” said Union Township trustee candidate David Tacosik.
It is Butler County's fastest-growing community. In 1993, the township's estimated population was 48,000 and today it is estimated at more than 59,160 residents.
The varied nature of controlling both residential and commercial growth requires experience with details. Union trustee candidate Dave Lindenschmidt said his background as an engineer will be useful.
“It has taught me how to deal with complex issues. If elected, I can hit the ground running,” he said.
The forum also included three candidates for two open seats on the Lakota Board of Education. Participating were school board candidates Susan McLaughlin, Daniel Warncke and Martin Wisby.
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