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Oberlin City Council
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Term: 2 years
Question:What kind of development is needed for Oberlin? How would you implement your ideas?
VOTE FOR SEVEN |
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David Ashenhurst
440-774-7500 |
Response to Question:
I continue believing Oberlin should seek only appropriate, sustainable development. Given the current climate, that means, in part, residential and downtown Redevelopment. It means neighborhood in-fill development. It means transit-oriented or conservation development in outlying areas, pedestrian-friendly and mixed-use development -- like the East College Street Project -- in the City’s core. In the commercial sphere, it means re-filling Station Square and the Industrial Park, and attracting robust enterprises for the former lumber yard site on South Main and perhaps the property adjacent to the new Service Complex east of town.
I also continue thinking a Council member’s role is less about implementing ANy individual’s ideas than ensuring that City government accurately reflects shared concerns and community aspirations for our common local future. An effective Council fosters City policies and administrative functions and practices that encourage creative citizens and businesses to build in directions Oberlin has deliberately planned for itself. |
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John Baumann
440-774-1918 |
Response to Question: Oberlin is in the midst of major development pressure, both commercial and residential. We must have policies and their supporting ordinances that encourage traditional and mixed use development, the East College Street Project for example. We should eliminate zoning that promotes sprawl with its strip mall and turnpike wide streets, it’s good for fast cars but bad for dogs, and cats and little kids. We should be a town of walking neighborhoods and rectilinear streets (eliminating sidewalks takes the neighbor out neighborhood and cul-de-sacs isolate people and don’t go anywhere).
Open space is best in public parks rather than lawns that householders must mow. Oberlin would realize a continuing bonus from denser development because our infra-structure costs would be a lot less. Our streets and sidewalks, our water and sewer lines, even our electric power lines would be shorter and cheaper. The money saved is much better used for our libraries, parks, recreation programs and schools. |
Shanton V. Bland
440-775-1038 |
Response to Question: I believe there needs to be a mentoring and referral program instituted; which would broaden the awareness and provide opportunities for youths and young adults in Oberlin. This program will partner and collaborate with established programs and organizations to provide greater opportunities to my fellow residents.I will establish a committee to institute a local program that feeds into established state and federal programs; which will create partnerships and opportunities for our youths and our community.I will provide Oberlin residents with Work Life Programs to assist those needing the support and education to achieve their goals. This program will provide information, consultation, educational services and workshops, and even brown bag sessions to assist my fellow residents of Oberlin.It’s time to take a creative approach to take advantage of programs and opportunities available for us. I will work hard to bring these opportunities to our community! |
H. Scott Broadwell
440-775-4241 |
Response to Question: Oberlin needs a mix of residential and commercial development. One example of this is the East College Street Project being undertaken by Sustainable Community Associates. Although I support this project, it is time to see some progress. Some have called for a complete halt to the project. This would be a mistake due to the current condition of the property and the potential benefit to the community upon its completion. SCA will continue to have my support, but the time may come for the City to begin looking for another contractor or to find another use for the property, regrettable as that may be.
I still believe that Oberlin’s charm comes from its locally owned businesses that provide personal services you will never get at a big box or mega store. Nevertheless, development is going to come to Oberlin, and both development and local businesses need to be supported for the town to thrive. |
| Tony Mealy |
Response to Question:
Current challenges confronting Oberlin are our Water and Electric Utility improvements. As a councilman I will want to evaluate each proposal on its own merit with an open mind as to how these decisions will affect the entire community. My main concerns are adequate public services, facilities and maintenance by responsible spending. I believe in planned growth, sensible economic development and ethics in local government. Most Oberlin residents support managed planning and some have been wrongly labeled “anti-growth”. Good planning reaches an improved balance between the cost of growth and its benefits. I am convinced that most citizens want to support responsible, well-planned development, but I do not believe the taxpayer wants council to write a blank check to cover the considerable cost of growth related infrastructure that is the clear responsibility of developers. I remain concerned how we set these priorities and how we spend taxpayer dollars. |
Charles Peterson
440-774-4278 |
Response to Question:
I believe Oberlin has productively implemented a two pronged approach to development. I have supported, the extension of commercial districts/ economic areas along the 58.20 corridor. These areas provide employment and purchasing opportunities for all of Oberlins' citizens and our neighbors in Lorain County. Through planned/guided development Oberlin can better determine the type of businesses we want in our town, accurately assess the impact of those businesses (environmental, economic, social) for the benefit of our residents. The Revenue sharing agreement with Pittsfield Township is an example of the ways in which multiple communities can benefit from "big box" development without falling into non-productive competition.
The second prong is the active stimulation on the part of the City of Oberlin of eceonomic dvelopment in the downtown area. The of Community Development Block Grant Funds for local business and the targeted stimulation of retail development as in the East College Street project are the types of pro-active steps the City of Oberlin can do in order to expand our economic base and maintain the social and cultural integrity of our downtown area. I have supported these measures and will continue to do so. Downtown development is encouraged by aggressive recruitment of businesses new to Oberlin and aggressive support of business present in town by the City's Economic Development Office….(word limit exceeded) |
Ron Rimbert
440-775-2543 |
Response to Question:
I feel as though, yes, economical Development is very important in our community. It is also important that the growth fall within our guidelies of our comprehensive plan. It is necessary to continue to work on our Industrial Parkway. To especially fill the empty buildings for more jobs creation. I think this implementation should be to continue the use of our Economical Development Department.
I have always believed that the heart & soul of a community is the School District. It is important that the community get behind the School District to insure that it is the best it can be. The stronger your schools, the more families that will want to live & invest in the community. Which, with more residents you have, the more cost sharing you have. This is a long term economical developing, which I feel we can begin with by supporting our school levies. |
David E. Sonner
440-774-4122 |
Response to Question:
It will be my chief pre-occupation to demonstrate to my council colleagues and to the community that, from now on, we must change the way we organize and conduct our economic system in recornition that the only system that has any chance to provide us a secure and prosperous life, is an ecologically sustainable economy.
Oberlin is better positioned than many other places to accomplish this:
We have the capacity to become self-sufficient in the production of clean electric power, and even, perhaps, to become a net exporter of electric energy.
Oberlin's ecologically sensible model of economic development must take complete advantage of our neighboring landfill to promote the establishment of businesses based on recovery and re-use of materials.
In collaboration with the college, an essential collaboration, this community must fully deploy our educational, historical, and cultural resources toward creating an economically and ecologically sustainable future.
We can build a better world- starting with Oberlin. |
Sharon Fairchild Soucy
440-775-4031 |
Response to Question: The primary need for development in Oberlin is in Oberlin’s Industrial Park. I would like to see businesses such as high tech related research and development or assembly of any kind. Amherst recently secured a major call center north on Route 58 that would have been ideal for Oberlin.
The East College Street Project, although beset with problems, appears to be on track again, and it is ideal in terms of bolstering our downtown as well as in the sustainability concepts it incorporates. Similarly, the Chrysalis development for lower income and elderly housing will have my full support as a welcome addition to Oberlin.
I would like to see Oberlin develop a cutting edge plant to recover methane from our landfill as a clean source of energy.
Finally, I would support actively the continued development of business around Wal-Mart such as a Home Depot or a Target store.
To implement these ideas I would rely heavily on our Economic Development Officer, our Planning Director and Oberlin’s excellent development tools – The Long Range Plan, our Sustainability Plan, our zoning laws and our Design and Planned Development guidelines. |
Everett Tyree
440-775-4652 |
Response to Question: Oberlin needs more commercial development; such development would provide a broader tax base and more balance to the existing tax base. (As is well known, much of Oberlin's property is tax exempt, putting a heavier burden on those who do pay property taxes). Working with the Economic Development Director, I would try to get commercial businesses to come to Oberlin, particularly in existing areas such as the industrial park or the newly closed Missler's store. |
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