Candidates running for three different offices in the southern part of the county discussed an array of topics at Wednesday’s Delaware County League of Women Voters candidates forum. Each of the discussions, however, touched on a common theme: growing pains.

Powell and southern Delaware County are some of the fastest growing areas in Ohio. Olentangy Local School District is the fastest-growing district in the state and has been for the past seven years. Powell was the fastest-growing city in the state from 2007 to July 1, 2008, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Contenders for seats on Powell City Council, Liberty Township Board of Trustees and Olentangy Board of Education talked about ways to deal with growth during times of lean budgets.

“There are two areas of growth we have to be concerned with: educational and financial,” said Mitch Kon, school board candidate.

Kon said Olentangy needs to improve its curriculum — like better preparing students for college and increasing ACT scores district wide — and reduce expenditures more aggressively at the same time.

Candidates Patrick Grubbe and Jay Siefring, both members of Olentangy’s Cost and Efficiencies Subcommittee, said they have already identified ways to further rein in district spending; they just need to be implemented.

“It’s important we as a school board work with our township and city officials to find a balance between revenue generation from the citizens, which frankly I don’t know if they can tolerate much more of that, and find a way to get our hands on additional tax revenues through other areas,” Siefring said.

Siefring said the district needs to focus on improving core education subjects and better integrating technology in classrooms.

Grubbe said that the percentage of Olentangy students taking college prep curriculum dropped from 91 percent of students to 67 percent between 2003 and 2007.

“What I would like to do is go to the experts, go to Ohio State University and say ‘What are we doing wrong? How can we improve our core education for children?’” Grubbe said.

Candidates Lynne Schoenling, Dave King and incumbent Julie Wagner Feasel did not attend the meeting.

Liberty Township candidates also talked about ways to generate new revenues and cut costs.

John Schuette said the best way for the township to increase its reserves is to stop spending money on legal fees. He said the township spent $1.7 million on legal fees in the last two years.

“The 77 miles of roads Liberty Township has, some of them are in a bad state of repair. There is no money because the attorneys have it all,” Schuette said.

Don Grubbs, a sitting Powell councilman, also said the amount of money the township has spent on legal fees is an issue.

“I am running for this office because I feel there has been a loss of trust with the trustees when it comes to spending township money,” Grubbs said.

He said hoped to bring Powell and Liberty together to work on issues.

Don Rankey said, if elected, he would like to see regular intergovernmental meetings between the township and the city, as well as other county governments. He said he would like to see the township mediate out of its current lawsuits as soon as possible, allowing the township to focus on other issues.

“I want to improve the quality of life and do what the township does best and that is offer core services,” Rankey said.

Incumbent trustee Curt Sybert brushed off the township’s legal expenditures, saying the public supported the efforts and they costed very little when averaged over the number of township residents.

“My platform is simple, it’s development,” incumbent trustee Curt Sybert said.

Sybert said he helped bring a number of companies to the township — and keep some there, like the new Columbus State Community College — which has resulted in multi-million dollar deals and new tax revenue.

Incumbent trustee Peggy Guzzo said her actions as an “independent thinker” have helped save township money, such as urging the board to use the prosecutor’s office when possible. She also talked about the importance of working more closely with the City of Powell.

“I think it is important for us to get together to discuss (with Powell) issues in the past and issues in the future,” Guzzo said.

Candidate Mary Carducci did not attend the meeting.

Contenders for Powell City Council also expressed an interest in working together with Liberty trustees more in the future.

“My feeling is that we all need to work together, not just with the township but with the county,” said city council candidate Brian Lorenz.

Lorenz said he hoped to continue to foster a strong sense of community in Powell, including encouragement of downtown development.

Incumbent Jim Hrivnak listed four key issues he saw facing the city moving forward: coping with growth, improving traffic flow, pursuing capital improvement projects and working with Liberty.

“The city has agreed to meet with Liberty to talk about CEDA, and that seems to be the major topic of contention,” Hrivnak said.

Incumbent and mayor Tom Counts said he wants to keep the city’s momentum going in a number of areas. He cited a community survey conducted a year ago where 94 percent of respondents said Powell is an exceptional or better than average place to live.

“Powell needs to plan for the future to make the city the best place to live that it has been for so long and that is where the capital improvement program will enhance our roads, complete our bike paths,” Counts said.

Sara Marie Brenner said she shared the other candidates concerns about how the city develops and that her background as a lifelong Powell resident gives her a unique perspective.

“I believe I bring a fresh understanding to council,” Brenner said, who mentioned her interest in bringing new business to downtown Powell.

Ronald Beach said his background in finance would help him identify ways for Powell to cut costs. He said he wanted to serve as a vessel for the people’s intersets.

“What the citizens of the area want, that is what I will do,” Beach said.

bbullock@delgazette.com