Two Bethel council members will be competing for the title of Mayor in the Nov. 8 election, and both Alan Ausman and Rus Whitley are passionate about the village that they call home.

“I grew up in this town, I love this town very much,” Ausman said. “I want the opportunity to improve the looks of the town, stay on course fiscally and do what we’ve been doing lately chipping away at the (village’s) deficit.”

Ausman, who graduated from Williamsburg High School, was raised in Tate Township and got to know the village well. Now, he lives in the village, goes to church in the village and serves on various committees. He also works as a professional window cleaner and has been on village council for four years.

“Maybe some will consider us a small community, but we are a close-knit community,” Ausman said about the village. “I like going to IGA and seeing people I know and talking to them.”

Ausman said keeping the village a small but pleasant community is his goal. He said he would like to improve the appearance of the village and get people more involved with events and activities that go on inside the village.

“I think it’s going to take communication,” Ausman said. “I think our community has always been supportive of events, it takes individuals to step up and do that.”

Ausman said being involved in the community himself has enabled him get to know many of the people who live in Bethel. He said taking the time to interact with residents is one of his best qualities as a candidate for mayor.

“I am able to talk to people easily,” Ausman said. “I like to listen to people, take advice from people and take it all in.”

Ausman said if elected, he would put his experience living and working in the village toward helping to improve the village but also keep it the same kind of place he came to love growing up.

“I have always seen Bethel as a vibrant community,” Ausman said. “I would like to see us stay that vibrant community where other communities have lost their identities.”

Ausman said in an effort to increase his communication with village residents even more he purchased a phone residents can call if they have questions, concerns, suggestions or even compliments. He can be reached at (513) 767-5878.

Competing against Ausman for mayor is his fellow council member Rus Whitley, who also has a passion for improving the village, especially during tough economic times.

“I love working in and around Bethel,” Whitley said. “That’s why I settled here in 1994.”

Whitley was raised on a farm in Ohio. He served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years and was deployed to Vietnam twice. He worked for Armco Steel for 31 years and is a licensed plumber, electrician and real estate agent.

Since moving to Bethel, Whitley has served on council for 1.5 years. He owns a business in the village and is involved with several organizations.

“I’ve been devoted to the village for over eight years,” Whitley said. “I have attended every committee meeting and council meeting before I was on council. I watched $2.5 million be spent unwisely.”

Whitley said if he were elected mayor he would work to stop unnecessary spending, make cuts and save money.

“You should have your budget laid out and only spend so much,” Whitley said. ‘We don’t know how much cut we are going to take from the government, that’s why I think we outta save a little for a rainy day.”

Whitely said cutting back spending on things the village does not need will help solve the problem. He said his work experience and experience on council will help him make wise financial decisions if elected.

In addition, Whitley said working to improve the infrastructure in the village will help bring business back and spur the economy.

“We need to do something about our curbs and gutters going through town,” Whitley said.

Whitley said if elected, he would make himself accessible to residents in the village and work to help improve the village. He said being retired means he can devote more time to working as mayor.

“You’ve got to think from your heart what’s best for the people in the village,” Whitley said. “And you’ve got to spend the money like it is your own.”