David Steiner is one of 10 candidates for Bluffton council on Nov. 7. The Icon's interview with him follows. To read interviews with each of the candidates click here.
• David Steiner, 409 S. Main Street
Why are you seeking a seat on the council and why should someone vote for you?
Having served as Clerk-Treasurer, Fiscal Officer and as a member of Village Council I have institutional knowledge from those experiences. In the past year the Village Administrator was terminated, the Fiscal Officer resigned and the Police Chief retired in September, 2016. I have always served the Village citizens with their interests in mind and want to continue serving.
What are the major issues facing Bluffton in the next 4 years?
I believe the Village Employees need the support of the elected officials to re-build morale. The Fiscal Officer’s resignation letter was very revealing, since it is a public document I have obtained a full copy. I worked closely with our former fiscal officer while in office and have a great respect for her judgement and character. In her resignation letter she states “The hostile work environment that has been created is intolerable, and I cannot in any good conscience be complicit with practices that I believe disserve our community.”
If you were to grade the current council based upon an A, B, C, D or F grading system, what grade would you give it?
D
How should the village resolve the Shannon Cemetery issue?
Council passed Resolution 5-16 that details how to proceed.
Within the past 12 months the village administrator was fired and the village fiscal officer resigned. Is there a communication problem in the town hall, or were these isolated incidents?
Before the current Council and Mayor there were more frequent meetings with the administration and their opinions were valued. We need to make administrative staff more involved in decision making.
Feel free to address any other subject here that you’d like to provide to voters:
There are far too many executive sessions, the “Ohio Sunshine Laws 2017” Publication available at the Auditor of State’s website, authored by the Attorney General lists limited permissible reasons to go into executive session.
I do not think enough research was put into the water-surcharge. This has given the median water user the highest water rates in the area. Council needs to restructure the water rates.
Nearly a year ago Council repealed the pay ordinance. So far they have passed a Police pay ordinance and made it effective January 1, 2018 but have not addressed the other employees. In my years of experience I have never seen the Village operate without a pay ordinance to give authority to personnel matters.
Are there issues that you disagree with that the current council passed?
After announcing that there would be no action after an executive session Council voted to Fire the Village Administrator with no public in attendance.
Voting to fill in the Village Park pond without first doing research to know if there would be EPA regulatory problems.
How would you make your voting decisions as a council member?
By using my past experience, making sure proper research is done and being open to citizen input. My institutional knowledge of the past will be an asset.
