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District XC Champion
SPORTS 8
Vol. 151, Issue 43
SPORTS 7
Breaking news at peoplesdefender.com
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 • $1
Commissioner Baldridge makes bid for “open” seat Candidate hopes to win seat vacated by Caraway, looking for fourth term BY PATRICIA BEECH PEOPLE’S DEFENDER Adams County Commissioner Brian Baldridge, the Republican candidate vying for the Board of Commissioners “open” seat, will face off against challenger Richard Dryden in the upcoming Nov. 8 election. Baldridge is running for his fourth term as commissioner. The Republican committee's decision to run a sitting commissioner for the 'open” seat vacated by Stephen Caraway raised questions and created more than a little confusion among the electorate. In brief, if Baldridge loses the race to Democrat Dryden he will retain the seat he now holds on the board. If he wins he will vacate the seat he now holds and assume the “open” seat. At that time the Republican Committee will appoint a candidate to finish his term which ends in 2018. The People's Defender asked several questions of
both candidates providing them an opportunity to speak directly to the voters. Below are Commissioner Baldridge's thoughts on why he should be elected to serve again on the Board of Commissioners. Defender: Why are you the best candidate for county commissioner and how will you make a difference in Adams County over the next four years if elected? Baldridge: This race is about experienced leadership. I've served this county as commissioner for three terms, and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Adams County. While serving as commissioner I have voted to support bringing in just under $20 million in grant money to the county. We know when we bring outside money into this county that money will turn over five to seven times and we can invest that here, locally. As commissioner I will continue to work hard to bring outside money into our county because it stimulates our local economy.
Defender: What is your assessment of the county's overall financial position? Baldridge: The financial position of the county right now is stable. I like to think my management has kept it at a stable level. Our biggest threats are cuts to local government. We have a looming cut through the Medicare process and how it's taxed that could effect our county budget to the tune of $600,000 in 2018. Those are huge contributing factors that could mean a huge negative for our future. It's stable now, but we always have to be on the offensive in managing our budget and making sure our voices are heard in Columbus. One of our challenges in a rural setting in Ohio is that we have two or three state Representatives and one Senator in our region. The negative is that greater Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland have six, seven, or eight state Reps, and hey don't have the issues we do out here in a rural setting. We have to make sure that
our voices continue to be heard in the state legislature to make sure they don't cut us anymore. Defender: What should the county be doing to confront growing poverty here? Baldridge: Poverty is a huge challenge, not only here, but in our state and in our country. What we have in place here in our county for dealing with poverty is a great group of folks at our Jobs and Family Services who assist individuals and families who face the challenges of poverty. That support group and those employees of the county do a great job assisting those folks and helping them make that leap out of the situation they've fallen into. Defender: What are your goals for cultivating a strong cultural identity for Adams County in the next four years? What role should the arts play in Adams County's cultural identity, and how should the county be supporting the arts community? Baldridge: The arts are an important part of our community. We are all proud of the activities and functions sponsored by our Arts Council. We recently had
Brian Baldridge the opportunity to partner with our Arts Council to apply for a grant and I supported them in that. It was a great opportunity to bring in funding from other areas into our county. I was a music guy in high school, and I enjoy that, and our youth need to be exposed to the arts to realize its beauty
and importance. Defender: If the Health Department's services levy doesn't pass, what steps, if any, would you as Commissioner take to ensure we don't lose the services they provide? Baldridge: I'm supportive of the Health Levy, and
See Baldridge / 5
Democrat Dryden looking to win “open” commissioner's seat Candidate says he’ll bring traditional ideas to the office BY PATRICIA BEECH PEOPLE'S DEFENDER Adams County voters will be asked to choose between four candidates bidding for seats on the Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 8 election. Among them is Democrat Richard Dryden who is challenging Republican Brian Baldridge for the “open” seat vacated by former Commissioner Stephen Caraway. The People's Defender asked several questions of both candidates providing them an opportunity to speak directly to the voters. Below are Richard Dryden's thoughts on why he should be elected to serve on the Board of Commissioners. Defender: Why are you the best candidate for county commissioner and how will you make a difference in Adams County over the next four years if elected? Dryden: I have 22 years of experience as a selfemployed farmer. Farming is my only employment, and my family's only income. To successfully manage the family farm I've had to manage my money very careful-
ly, and being a dairy farmer, my salary isn't set so I have to work within a budget. That's also exactly what I've done as a Tiffin Township Trustee - I've worked within the budget for the township's residents. As county commissioner that's exactly what I'll do to work within the budget. Defender: Should any part of the county budget be shielded from cuts? And, if so, which area? Dryden: Law enforcement should not be cut because they protect our citizens. The Health Department also should not be cut because I believe it should be kept under local control. Education shouldn't be cut because I think we need to promote education for our children. We've got a serious drug problem and we need to expand and teach our kids, and as adults that's what we're supposed to be doing. I believe through the education system we can raise awareness about drug abuse. Defender: If the Health Department's services levy doesn't pass, what steps, if any, would you as
Commissioner take to ensure we don't lose the services they provide? Dryden: As county commissioner I will do everything I can to make sure we keep our Health Department local. I think we could pursue getting a grant to help fund the department. I do know we have a grant to fund Meals on Wheels, so my thoughts are can we take money from that to help our Health Department. Defender: What one part of county government or what issue would receive more attention if you were elected? Dryden: Roads and promoting our small businesses so that we can attract tourism to the county. Our County Engineer provides safe roads, and we need to continue to work on improving and making our roads safer. Local government has been cut in the past eight years and it's been a burden on all our agencies in the townships, the villages, and the county, but we need to stress the safety of our roads. If we keep our roads safe and clean we will attract tourists and our small
businesses will prosper. Defender: If new resources were available, what one area of county services do you think most needs additional resources? Dryden: The Health Department and education. There have been rumors about Southern State College coming in and I'd really like to get education going for our youth because they are our future. I graduated n 1981, and my best friend told me he had to leave Adams County to get a good job. In 2011 my own daughter said to me, “I have to leave Adams County to get a good job.” That's 30 years apart. We can't keep all our children here because we don't have enough resources, but we can create something for those who stay. Defender: What incentives would you offer businesses interested in coming to Adams County? Dryden: Tax breaks to encourage them to come. Defender: What are your thoughts on the environment and land use policy – regarding the EPA? Dryden: I know that there is an issue with chemicals getting into the water sup-
Richard Dryden ply, but I don't know if farming is the total cause. I don't know that the farmers are doing that much harm. I've been in the farming business for 35 years and I've never abused chemicals or fertilizers that could get into our water streams. What worked for farmers 30 years ago is totally different from today. Farming has totally changed from what it used
to be. Farming used to mean you plowed your land and worked your land, but now days they're using no-till practices, and rain washes the chemicals off. We also need to look at the problems caused by septic systems. Defender: What would be your position on issuing levies and taxes as they pertain to smart growth projects
See Dryden / 5
Semi accident slows traffic on 41 Driver transported to U.C. Med Center BY PATRICIA BEECH PEOPLE’S DEFENDER
A truck driver for Conley Trucking in Pike County was injured in a
INDEX Obituary: 2 Editorial: 4 Sports: 7-9 Classifieds: 10-14
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single vehicle accident last week that slowed traffic on State Route 4 1to a crawl. Emergency crews responded on Monday, Oct. 17 to the site of the semi -truck accident near Treber Inn and Cooper Road. According to Trooper Pete Edgington of the State Highway Patrol, Jeffrey Jones, 43, of Piketon was traveling southbound in a red 2007 Freightliner when he failed to negotiate a left hand curve and drove off the right side of the roadway. The truck overturned onto its right side, struck a utility pole and a tree before coming to rest in a ditch. Jones suffered head and facial injuries and was transported by West Union EMT's to the Adams County Regional Medical Center in Seaman. He was later trans-
Kaiajade | People’s Defender
This semi-truck accident on Rte. 41 on Oct. 17 resulted in a Piketon man being sent to University Hospital in Cincinnati. ferred to University said that Jones was able control. No drugs or Hospital in Cincinnati. charged with operating a alcohol were involved. Trooper Eric Weinman vehicle without reason-