Roger Warren is one of 10 candidates for Bluffton council on Nov. 7. The Icon's interview with Warren follows. To read interviews with each of the candidates click here.
• Roger Warren, 499 Cherry Street
Note: Mr. Warren provided the following information rather than answering the candidate questionnaire.
Having served on the Village Town Council over the last four years, I want to offer an alternate perspective to the recent letter posted by the Bluffton icon, and to help citizens better understand the actions of our current Council so they can make a clear, informed choice this November.
Our current Council has indeed made some changes on issues including water rates, personnel, etc. As a Council, we've sought to be fiscally responsible and thoughtfully progressive. Our right leaning and left leaning council members have worked together and generally agreed on the following decisions that have directly or indirectly led to the following improvements:
Water rates: The regional water contract between Ottawa and Bluffton placed a heavy burden on the city - as we were subsidizing $200,000 annually from the general fund. The financial burden kept the city from being able to address other necessary projects. Council's decision to enact a surcharge on water and sewer rates wasn't an easy one, but it was the right thing to do, as it put the town in a financial position to address street paving projects, get a new heater for the pool, build a shaded community area by the pool, add to our bike paths, water tower maintenance, west side sewer project and updating our sewer treatment plant, etc. We've taken action on all those improvements.
Personal changes: Bluffton is a great town, and it deserves great employees. Our previous Village Administrator was simply not handling the job in a way Council or the Mayor expected, and was terminated only after given the opportunity to improve. Our previous Fiscal Officer did not produce reports our Mayor had been asking for, and chose to resign. Our former police chief wanted a "retire/rehire" deal that was simply cost prohibitive for our town (and tax payers); upon an offer Council felt was fair to both him and Bluffton, he chose to retire. In addition, we have increased the oversight and accountability for our village employees. This doesn't always make us (or me) the most popular, but we feel it's a privilege to work for Bluffton, and we expect a consistent high level of production and performance from all village employees.
Our decisions aren't taken lightly or made quickly; we've done our best to make choices that are good for our town – now, 5 years from now, and 20 years from now.
Our vision includes a new fire station, advancement of the State Route 103 corridor, along with other projects that enhance the town. The goal is to achieve these things while remaining financially healthy, which can only happen with the right people on town Council properly managing the town’s resources and personnel.
I hope our current Council is able to continue building on the progress we've made. Regardless what happens in November, I am proud to have served the town and worked with this group for the benefit of Bluffton.
