By SYDNEY KENT
Poneto Town Council candidates have a common interest: community.
There are three positions available on the council, with two of the candidates currently serving on the board. Becky Smith (R), the current president, and Linda Ogle (I). Also in the running are Kelly Potter (D), Ashley O’Reilly (D), Isaiah Geels (R), and Paul Miller (R). Election day is Nov. 7.
During the forum Monday evening, candidates were asked four questions regarding their priorities for the town, their outlook on growth, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and the most critical needs. Rick Johnloz and Erin Prible served as moderators for the forum.
All candidates echoed a call for more community events and overall involvement.
Miller said he envisions a more social town where residents bring their needs to the council. Ogle, a current board member of four years, said she wanted to bring back chili suppers, the park board, and an annual garage sale.
O’Reilly expressed a plan for the council to work as a cohesive unit in partnership with other government entities. Potter echoed this desire.
“The three people serving need to come together to see what it is they want to achieve at the end of their four years,” Potter, who previously wrote grants for a nonprofit, added. “There is grants and funding available.”
Isaiah Geels, a four-year Poneto resident, said that while community is important, his priority is helping the community be safer.
“We need to look at how the town spends money,” Geels said. “The roads aren’t taken care of and are worse after plow.” A chuckle came from the audience of approximately 30 Poneto residents.
Geels also suggested an assessment for the sewer system and investing in the fire department in order to lower homeowner costs and ensure safety.
The majority of the candidates voiced a stance on improving the current state of the town and quality of life for the residents versus population growth.
“I don’t see us getting new houses or businesses,” Ogle said. “I don’t see that happening, but I think we should take the residents into consideration. What can we do with what we have?”
“Growth is important,” O’Reilly countered. “I have a seven-year-old and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Younger families are coming back. I think it’s important to prioritize growth so we have a community for families to come back to.”
O’Reilly said she wants to serve on the council to help move the community forward.
Smith said she would like to grow, but there are a limited number of lots for housing. She also noted town involvement as an area of critical need. Geels said safety is his main priority, and the rest can come later. Miller said he would like to see growth in the future after the town cleans up what is needed.
“We need a town clean-up day if we expect people to clean up,” Potter said. “Toys in the yard, which has been expressed as a critical issue, is not an issue. The kids will grow up and the toys will leave the yard. No one wants to live next to junk and weeds. We need a town clean-up day.”
Potter said she was motivated to run to continue her family legacy of helping the community. She encouraged the audience to consider how well the three board members would work together when casting their votes.
An additional forum for the Clerk/Treasurer position was held. The candidates, LouAnn Reinhard, the current clerk, and Brad Shoeff, were asked three questions in regards to their understanding of the role and their thoughts on improving finances.
Shoeff expressed that he wanted to help serve his community. He said he understood the position to not be a decision making role, but to keep the finances in order. Reinhard said the job is to take care of the money that belongs to the town.
When asked his plan for improving the finances, Shoeff said that decision was likely up to the board but he would do well at keeping the data straight.
Reinhard explained that when she came into the role four years ago, the state of the finances were in bad shape and required help from the State Board of Accounts. She expressed a desire to continue to create a system that would work well with what she has learned so far.
sydney@news-banner.com
