DE L AWA RE COUN T Y VOTERS’ GUIDE 2012 W h a t sp e c i f i c c h a n ge s w o u l d y o u m ak e t o i m p r ov e t he d e c or u m an d c o op e r a ti on a mo n g a n d b et w e e n th e o th er c o mm i s s i o n e rs ? •RICHARD BIRD: The specific change I would make to improve decorum and cooperation within the county commission board is simple; replace Ken O’Brien. Ken is the sole contributor to the dysfunction and unprofessionalism many have come to associate with the county commissioners. There are literally hours of video recordings of Ken throwing tantrums, screaming, and berating his fellow commissioners. Simply through the experience of working in difficult circumstances on high profile projects and initiatives in the corporate world over the last 20-plus years, I’ve learned that you cannot bully your way to success, you cannot shout down other’s ideas and you must treat ever yone with respect. It is clear that Ken has learned none of these basics and if things are to get better on the commission board, it will be because he is defeated in November. •JOHN K. HAR TMAN: On June 11, I appeared before the board of county commissioners to present my proposal for charter reform whereby county commissioners would be elected in four districts to bring the government closer to the people in Delaware County. I explained how charter reform would streamline county government, make it more efficient, and free up funds for economic development and safety without raising taxes. I answered questions about the proposal from the commissioners and there was a pleasant give and take about the issue. I urged the commissioners to vote to place the measure on the Nov. 6 ballot, but they declined. We were able to disagree without becoming disagreeable. I believe this respectful approach is the hallmark of an effective public body and I would continue in this manner if voters choose to elect me county commis-
sioner in the coming election. I pledge a bipartisan approach to county government as well. •GARY D. MERRELL: People who know me say, “Gar y gets things done in a respectful manner and does not take disagreements personally.” Commissioners have a tough job, a job that requires a great deal of research, evaluation, and often considerable passion. So frequently, strong disagreements as to the best course of action may arise among us and the constituents we ser ve. After thoughtful deliberation, different commissioners can view the solution much differently. We must remind ourselves that when we disagree, which we will and should, it should never be personal. I believe I will have the respect of my fellow commissioners and together we will create an environment that will be positive and productive. I am excited about ser ving, and have no concerns about appropriate decorum and cooperation. I will conduct myself in a professional, courteous manner, and treat my fellow commissioners with respect; I know they will do the same. •KEN O’BRIEN: The taxpayers of Delaware County deserve a board of commissioners that treat taxpayers fairly and equally regardless of wealth and who it is they know. They also deserve a board that is well informed in which each commissioner makes sure they have all the facts before they make decisions. When taxpayer money is at stake, tough questions need to be asked — regardless if it is small dollar items that add up or it is a $3.13 million boondoggle. I will never sidestep asking pointed questions in the name of decorum when taxpayer money is potentially being wasted. That is not to say decorum could not be enhanced. Next year, I will again attempt to have rules adopted as to how meetings are run. Rules that facilitate a fair, full venting of the facts and allows commissioners to complete a thought without being
interrupted will facilitate decorum and cooperation. Wh a t sp e c if i c f un din g so ur ce s o r c h an g e s i n fu n d i n g w o u l d y o u s u p p o r t o r op p o s e t o m ee t t h e g r ow i n g f i n an c i a l n e e d s o f De l a wa r e C o u n ty ? ( e. g . s h a r e d s e r v i c e s w i th ci ti e s an d t o wn s hi p s , a t ax i n c r e a s e, b e t t e r e f f i c i en c i e s . ) •RICHARD BIRD: Expense management is the key to Delaware’s continued growth. Revenue is simply not an issue when all current streams are considered. Between local entity taxes, city taxes, property taxes and sales tax, Delaware County shouldn’t have a single pothole, a single underperforming school or a single unfinished development project. Having managed more than $2 billion in corporate budgets over the last several years, expense control is always the key. Shared ser vices must become the rule and not the exception within the county, to drive expenses down for all county ser vices. As a county commissioner I will bring the county into the 21st centur y with requirements for true financial budgeting and expectations tied to those budgets, as opposed to the wasteful process supported today. The county commissioners provide an open checkbook to ever y county agency, where budgets only ser ve as guidelines and not as fixed requirements for annual performance. •JOHN K. HARTMAN: I believe my proposal for charter reform, where four county commissioners would be elected by districts and one elected at-large, would lay the groundwork for meeting the financial needs of Delaware County in the future. Under my proposal, the county commissioners would become part-time rather than the current fulltime and the county government would be run by an elected county executive overseen by the commissioners. This would increase accountability and get the government closer to the people. Some elected county positions would be
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phased out, but the many hard-working county employees would continue to provide valuable service. Charter reform would enable functions to be combined and would free up money for economic development and safety without increasing taxes. Regarding shared services, cities, villages and townships should be encouraged to look for ways to combine services, but should be allowed to make those decisions in a democratic fashion and not have them imposed on them. •GARY D. MERRELL: First, and most importantly, in those areas managed/controlled by the county commissioners I do not see a situation where I would support any tax increases. I believe our funding is sufficient for business growth in the county. There are opportunities where we have the potential to avoid duplication of ser vices, possibly improve efficiencies, etc. Since the March primar y, I have spent considerable time educating myself. The process, as I have spoken to office holders and administrators, is that I will understand, evaluate, and then I will comment. I am not looking for political points. My goal is to do my homework, ask the necessar y questions, and then offer solutions. •KEN O’BRIEN: I am opposed to tax increases. Delaware County must budget within its existing taxes. I am also committed to keeping the 1 mill tax-rollback promise. There are changes to our current funding. Delaware County will be receiving a por tion of the casino tax money which will help of fset the reductions in revenues in other areas such as the local government funds and reclaim funds reductions from the state. Although I am a fiscal hawk, I do believe the county should continue its Emergency Medical Ser vices (EMS). It’s expensive, and it’s helpful to have fire depar tments augment our ser vice, but the taxpayers should