Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Ostrander Village Council in the Nov. 3 election.

Current council member Robert Taylor and village residents Julie R. Guy and Joseph H. Proemm are on the ballot.

Taylor was appointed to fill a vacant council seat in 2009 and was elected in 2011. He has served as council president for three years. He has been a member of the village Planning and Zoning Committee since 2008.

He cited several accomplishments that have occurred during his time on council, including rehabilitation of village streets, providing assistance to the police department, revising and updating the zoning code, and giving the village an online and social media presence.

Taylor said a major issue and blessing that Ostrander is facing is the continued growth in and around the village.

“The secret is out about our great little community and growth is coming whether we like it or not,” he stated. “The village needs to work with developers and residents collectively to mitigate and control the growth. The grants that we have used in the past to fund many of our infrastructure improvements are drying up. We need to investigate alternative funding sources to be able to maintain the village.”

Taylor also stated his personal philosophy of leadership.

“I feel it is important to be involved in the community and local school events,” he said. “I like to let people know that I am a council member to see if there is anything I can do for them. It is important to listen to every concern and to provide honest feedback, even if you are not able to help them. People want to now that their concerns are heard. I support one, united community.”

Guy is a political newcomer who has a background in dealing with zoning matters. She said she is committed to being active in the community and helping to make the village a better place to live.

“As a leader and member of the council for the village of Ostrander, I will participate in the community and listen to the opinion of the residents,” Guy said. “My passion is helping others and making the world a better place. My goal is to preserve and protect the small-town integrity of Ostrander.”

Guy noted that she would like to see the village improve its utilities and also upgrade recreational facilities for children.

“My goals for the council are to bring natural gas into the village and to build a new park for kids around the village,” she said.

Guy also detailed some of what she believes are the bigger issues the village will deal with in the future.

“The issues the village is facing short term and long term are approving the development for the third phase at the Meadows of Mill Creek and the maintenance for the village,” she said.

Like Guy, Proemm is making his first run at public office, but he has been involved in village government as a member of the Ostrander Planning and Zoning Committee.

Proemm said the Planning and Zoning Committee has discussed a variety of topics that the village needs to address.

“These include finding a replacement for the veterans board that had to be taken down last year for safety purposes,” he said. “Roads around the village will also need replaced or repaired in the next few years, therefore grants or another revenue source will be needed. Also, putting together a park or central village property for our growing community, where citizens can meet, relax, play, etc., is a big goal.”

The continued population growth of Ostrander is also an issue that Proemm said needs to be a top-shelf item for council.

“Ostrander is at a unique crossroads right now,” he stated. “We are experiencing a population growth that almost doubled from 405 in 2000 to 801 in 2014. More development is coming and population will continue to grow. The village will need to maintain good infrastructure and find a way to keep providing superior services such as our volunteer police department, as the village continues to expand.”

Proemm also outlined his philosophy of leadership.

“Leadership of the village should be welcoming and encouraging of change while honoring and preserving the rich history, peacefulness and small-town atmosphere,” he said.