By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kilburn

Tepe

DEERFIELD TWP. - Both sides in the debate over whether to expand the Deerfield Township Board of Trustees claimed the fiscally responsible high ground at an election forum Wednesday.

"If this initiative passes, resources that could be spent developing our parks, building a new fire station, fixing our roads or solving our storm water problems will instead be spent on two unnecessary trustees," said Randy Kuvin, a trustee and a spokesman for Three is Enough.

But spending $50,000 a year for two more trustees is "quite a bargain," said Faye Smith, a member of the citizens group that brought the initiative to the ballot.

"I think it can quickly be recouped by making better decisions," Ms. Smith said.

She and Mr. Kuvin spoke to an audience of about 40 Wednesday evening at a forum sponsored by the Mason Landen Kings Chamber of Commerce. Held at Kings Island Resort and Conference Center, the forum also featured candidates for Warren County commissioner and the Ohio Senate's 7th District.

Commissioner candidate Carolyn Tepe began by charging that 20-year incumbent Mike Kilburn "has led the charge in passing on (not accepting) millions of dollars in state money" - a charge also made in a flier that reached voters' mailboxes Wednesday.

"We pay taxes like everyone in Ohio," Ms. Tepe said. "Why are we not bringing our share of those dollars back to the county?"

Mr. Kilburn denied turning down that much money, but also promoted his fiscal conservatism.

During his tenure, the commissioners have adopted a self-insurance program for county employees that has saved $80 million, he said.

Mr. Kilburn also reiterated his proposal to impose a $5,000 to $10,000 impact fee on all new homes built in the county.

Ms. Tepe said funding for schools is an issue for the state legislature, and rather than focusing on ways to discourage people from moving here, the county should do more to keep up with infrastructure.

"The forum will be televised on public access Channel 15 at 2 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Nov. 3; on Channel 17 at 10 p.m. Monday; and on Channel 4 at noon Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 and at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 4.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com