Incumbents with a combined 20 years of experience are seeking reelection in the race for the Concord Township board of trustees on Nov. 7.
Ron Dick
According to Dick’s Facebook campaign page, he has 20 years experience in government and private business project development as well as teaching and coaching experience.
“This gives me an appreciation for the support of local schools and the importance of education in our daily lives,” he said on the page.
He is running for Concord Township trustee because, “I feel called to serve my community in this way.” He said he is a concerned parent wanting to ensure the safety and growth of families within the township.
Dick believes the best way to achieve this is through the best use of tax dollars to support infrastructure, zoning and community facilities.
“I want to listen and act upon your concerns about what impacts your family,” he said.
“I am always attentive to current events in support of this great democracy we live in,” he states on the page. “My experience and a continued interest in taking part in community service have brought me to this commitment to serve you.”
He states on the page that he owns a catering business that “is more of a hobby” giving him the “opportunity to meet people in support of Ohio State University athletics.”
Joe Garrett
Garrett has served as a trustee for eight years. He’s a 35-year resident, the father of three children, a former volunteer firefighter, and owns Garrett Direct LLC.
Garrett said his experience as trustee has resulted in a lower tax millage, construction of the new community building, a new state of the art firehouse, the purchase of three dump trucks an EMS rescue unit, enlarging the park by 20 acres and the cemetery by 10 acres.
“All done without borrowing or asking taxpayers for funding,” he said. “I’ve proven that a conservative approach to spending is the best way to return value to residents while still providing services.”
Garrett said the pressing issues for the township are the rapid housing development and the sewer plant owned by Delaware County.
“We have suggested changes to our zoning code requiring quality development while protecting residents,” he said. “We’ve hired an attorney making sure all changes are enforceable and not easily overturned in court or allowing developers to be awarded damages that harm the financial security the township currently enjoys.”
Bart Johnson
Johnson is a lifelong resident of the township, president of Agri Communicators Inc., sits on the board of directors of First Commonwealth Bank, is a part-time farmer, and veteran of the US Air Force Ohio Air National Guard. He has been married 25 years and has raised four children in the township.
Johnson pointed to his track record of 12 years as a trustee.
“We have built a new township hall, a new fire station and replaced equipment without asking taxpayers for any additional taxes,” he said. “The township is in excellent financial shape because every purchase is scrutinized, not because it has to be, but because it’s the right thing to do with tax dollars.”
Johnson said the needs of certain areas in the township are vastly different than other areas.
“I try to make every decision with all of the residents of the township in mind,” he said. “Township government is the form of government closest to the people, I aim to keep it that way.”
Johnson said he sees development and growth as a pressing issue.
“We’ve seen an explosion of new developments,” he said. “Delaware County is pushing for the Lower Scioto wastewater treatment plant to be operational and the real challenge will be balancing the personal property rights of larger landowners and the desire of residents to curtail housing developments.”
