On an evening when voters across the nation watched a televised Republican presidential debate, Bluffton held its own “debate.” The event was Oct. 28.
Bluffton’s chamber invited Bluffton’s three 2015 mayoral candidates to a mayoral candidate forum. Held in the middle school, 92 persons attended to hear each candidate’s view on a range of village issues.
Lasting over one-hour, candidates provided opinions on 15 questions, allowing a 90-second answer for each response.
Candidates Judy Augsburger, mayor, David Steiner, council president, and Jerry Cupples, former council president, responded to questions ranging from their management style, decision-making process to what they believed to be the issues facing the village in the next four years.
Stanley Scott, Bluffton University political science professor, served as moderator, while Duane Bollenbacher was the timer.
Following are capsules of answers to some of the questions.
Why are you seeking the mayor’s office?
Steiner: I’ve served 27 years in village government under seven different mayors. I feel I’m qualified.
Augsburger: I care about Bluffton. No one else (on council) wanted the mayor’s position when the vacancy came up. I accepted it.
Cupples: I could have been mayor in 2000 when Porter King stepped down. I was council president at the time. I felt I wasn’t ready. I have the energy now and I feel qualified.
What are your thoughts on the police department?
Augsburger: We have a great force. I’m always appreciative of their work. I see no changes at this time.
Cupples: We have eight full-time police. I can’t comment on any changes.
Steiner: We have a good department, doing a great job.
What are the important issues facing Bluffton in the next four years:
Cupples: The west side interceptor project, the waterline on Elm and Huber. We need our ordinances on the village website. I’d also place a suggestion box for employees.
Steiner: Waterline improvements, safety issues on Bentley Road.
Augsburger: We need a zoning ordinance update. We also need to start thinking about creating a charter form of government.
Are there issues that you’ve changed your mind one while you were on council (or are now on council)?
Augsburger: I haven’t changed my mind on anything. We’ve made good decisions.
Steiner: The mayor objected to the president of council chairing executive session meetings. If mayor, I will ask that the president of council be the chair of those duties again.
Cupples: I’ve not changed my mind on any issues. I’ve disagreed with the Shannon Cemetery project and with the sidewalk ordinance.
How would you like the Shannon Cemetery issue resolved?
Cupples: It’s a train wreck. The village has received lots of negative press about it. I’d settle this in my first month in office. The council will make the decision. I’d get the council and the Friends of the Shannon Cemetery together. There’s no village money for the project. I believe the tombstones need to be put back.
Steiner: Since I’m a member of the Shannon Cemetery Commission, I can’t comment on this. I believe there will be a decision made soon.
Augsburger: I’m also a member of the Commission and I can’t comment on this. One member of the Shannon Cemetery Commission created a survey. It shows that the majority of residents want the stones placed in a memorial area.
What is your solution to the missing stoplight on Main Street?
Steiner: Unfortunately this is not up to the village. Main Street is a state route and the Ohio Department of Transportation handles it. We have, however, made improvements with signage and crosswalks.
Augsburger: The Main and College crossing is out of our control. The state removed the stoplight.
Cupples: If I was mayor I’d start a letter writing campaign to the Ohio government and to ODOT.
The swimming pool heater doesn’t work. Is there a fix?
Augsburger: I’d create a pool commission to study this further.
Steiner: If we fixed the heater there would be additional gas expenses to heat the pool. Our average pool subsidy is around $20,000 now. Is the money to fix the heater worthwhile? I don’t think so.
Cupples: A pool heater is way down on my priority list.
It is the village responsibility to remove snow in the business district and on Vine and Church streets?
Cupples: The village should do this and also on College and Elm and Church and Cherry, not only on Main and Vine. The village shouldn’t take all the costs. The village should assess property owners.
Steiner: It’s important for the village to remove snow downtown. Should we expand snow removal to other downtown streets? I’d have to study that.
Augsburger: It all depends upon the cost. I’d like to study this with downtown business owners.
Your thoughts on Bluffton mayor’s court?
Steiner: It’s very important. The council president or mayor can hold court. It’s part of the job of being mayor. The current mayor did not take the classes required. That should have taken place. Mayor’s court is a service to citizens in town.
Augsburger: In January the police chief and I talked about it. The chief stated it was fine to take it to Lima. I want to get training in 2016.
Cupples: I took mayor’s court training as council president. I would reinstate it and hold it twice monthly.
Vacating alleys in Bluffton has become an issue. How would you like vacating requests handled?
Augsburger: There is no advantage to vacating alleys in the village. It’s a huge waste of time. Often these requests put neighbor against neighbor. There are lots of garages that need access to streets. The street and alley committee is working on this issue now.
Cupples: All alleys are different. They should be looked at on a case-by-case issue. In some cases, current alleys should be maintained better than they are now.
Steiner: Many alleys in Bluffton serve no purpose and should be closed.
How should we proceed with sidewalk improvements?
Cupples: The existing ordinance is unfair. We need a new ordinance that is more fair.
Steiner: I was appointed to council during the third reading of the current sidewalk ordinance. I would have voted no on the current ordinance. Existing sidewalk owners should not have to pay for other sidewalks. The past ordinance did not require sidewalks to be put in. The current ordinance requires it. It all comes down to safety.
Augsburger: I would have liked to see a more relaxed time frame on requirements for the (new) sidewalk repair and replace ordinance. I voted against the sidewalk ordinance.
How would you strengthen the mayor’s relationship with the village employees?
Augsburger: I’m totally available. I’m not a micro manager. Relationships take time. I’m impressed with the village employees.
Cupples: I’m ready to sit down with each staff member to talk about what we expect from each other.
Steiner: I will hold regular meetings with staff members and set goals together.
