Jeff Hardman Position Paper

​

People have asked me what “I stand for” and I’ll clear it up by writing this paper. A few bullet points: I am for

​

1. Small as possible Government. The best Government is the most local.

2. Government should serve the people not the other way around.

3. Government should be assessable to and by the people.

4. The Commissioners should communicate their major decisions and the reasons for their decisions long before ever voting on them. The voters need to have input. 

5. I have an open door policy. Whether it’s coming into the office, emailing, texting, facebook, or other social media to make your views and suggestions known. I will listen and do what ever I can do to implement your ideas.

6. There is a lot of “housekeeping” that the Commissioners vote on and the public would find this day to day business not very interesting, but I would entertain public input even on these activities.

 

WHAT I WOULD DO IF ELECTED:

 

I love the idea of town hall meetings.

​

I would explore the possibility of evening Commissioner meetings just like the City, Townships and Villages have.

​

If legally allowed, I am not against having a community “oversight group” so fresh ideas can be shared and adopted. Nothing is more aggravating than not being heard. I’m listening.

​

I will bring my business attitude to the office. Efficiency, Thriftiness, and common sense in all decisions. 

Now where do I stand on current issues?

​

NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING:

 

There are 5 County offices currently in the Court house that are not court related. The courts say they need more room. The Rite Aid building was suggested and I was told, considered. The firm that owns the building said they were not interested in selling. (now keep in mind, this is what I’ve been told) Truth? Good question. If I were Commissioner we all would know for sure. I do know that when Rite Aid was in that building, I was told by a prior employee that Just the Pharmacy was paying somewhere around $38,000 a month for rent. I was also told that these Department heads were consulted and asked what they would need for their particular offices to function effectively and I was told it would cost quite a bit to renovate that building for their use. So, where to put them? A new building would be one solution. Here is the good news: Those same Department heads where/are involved in the architecture of the new building and they had several meetings with the architect to iron out exactly what they wanted for their new offices. So, it isn’t the commissioners saying “we’re going to build a building and your’re going to have to live with what we decided as far as your space in it.” The Department heads had a say in it. That’s the way it should be. Also, they DO NOT have to borrow any money to build it. They have the cash. Unfortunately, though there is room for 4 of the 5 Departments. If I were Commissioner, I would have made it slightly larger to accommodate all 5.

​

DOG SHELTER:

​

I am told that IT DOES have air conditioning, but in the office part. I am also being told that there are roof vents in the kennels to open and allow the cool air from the offices for flow back. Efficient? Good question. Useable? Probably, but maybe lacking on extremely hot days. I would explore just how effective this is and install honest to goodness air out in the kennels if needed. I, however would ask the kennel manager what he would recommend instead of just making the decision for him. I tend to make decisions that way. Bring in the people who actually USE/WORK in the different facilities and ask them instead of central planning from afar. 

​

Now, the front of the building that is unfinished. I have gotten two different answers on this: The front of the building was left unfinished because if a serious renter were to move in there, it could be finished to THEIR specifications. Not just pot luck. Not because they “ran out of money.” Second answer: At one point (now pay attention because this involves the aforementioned 5th Department that isn’t going into the new administration building) , It was hoped/thought/dreamed that in a perfect world the license bureau that is out by Aldi’s AND the title department could both be in that front part of the dog shelter. One stop shopping. Go into the title department to sell/buy a car and go right across the hall to get the new plates. Here again, maybe this is/was too optimistic.

​

PROPERTY TAXES:

​

Somehow, probably through bad Facebook information, the public has gotten the idea that the Commissioners set the property tax rate. (see jeffhardman.com and click on “Auditors office visit” for my explanation of this). Where do I stand on property taxes? Hate ‘em. But they do fund our schools and small fire departments in large part. Am I for the current complete abolishment of all property taxes? Well, being a Libertarian/Conservative that is a registered Republican, I hate the idea that you have to rent your home, property from the State or they send the Sherriff out to throw you off your own property. So, here are my thoughts: A way of funding fire departments and schools in a way that is not tied to your land/home. Sales tax? School fees? Income tax? Some other way? The problem is, we still need the services. How to divide the cost up equitably so the farmer who owns many acres isn’t punished for owning land. A way for older people who have their house paid off but can’t afford the taxes to even stay in their own homes. A tax that everyone pays to funds services that is fair? Unfortunately, if the abolish all property taxes vote is passed, it will be up to (are you ready for this) THE STATE OF OHIO to come up with funding “solutions” and force it down the Counties’ throats. I talked to someone in the know and their fear was the State forcing unfunded mandates on the Counties. Then we will have to come up with our own way of funding these local things. Maybe that would be a good thing, at least we would have some local control. (But, there are things mandated by the Ohio Department of Education that will still be forced on our schools that we will have to fund) What will the future hold?

 

We will just have to use our best common-sense judgment when we cross that bridge. 

 

Thank you for reading this and I hope this clears up some questions.

 

Jeff Hardman.