Two years ago, I decided to run for Union Township Trustee against a longtime insider incumbent. I was not a politician, but I felt strongly that Union Township needed change. I campaigned on a platform of transparency and accountability. In that November’s election of 2019, you elected me and demanded change loud and clear.
Serving you as trustee for the last two years, I have tried to honor what we talked about on the campaign trail. My proudest accomplishment for Union Township was getting us on Ohio Checkbook. Now, the taxpayers of Union Township have the ability to see exactly how and where their government spends their money, simply by visiting checkbook.ohio.gov. This was something I campaigned on, and we got it done.
In the most recent election in November 2021, Union Township reaffirmed its commitment to change and replaced two more incumbent trustees with new faces. Now, with a fresh leadership team in our township, we have an excellent opportunity to propel our community into the future.
One of the things I am most excited about supporting is the launching of an annual strategic plan. Union Township deserves an intentional vision for the future that honors the change demanded in the last election, where my fellow trustees campaigned on robust but smart economic development that maintains our suburban green spaces. A professional strategic plan delivered by the Township Administrator will help capitalize on the potential of Union Township and all that it has to offer.
Another initiative that I am interested in working on with my colleagues is establishing formal transition plans for trustees and administration. While not as flashy as an annual strategic plan, it is equally important. At least one election for Union Township Trustee occurs every two years, and administration employees are free to leave any time (just like any job). Your township government manages vital services, such as police, fire, and road maintenance; the township needs formal transition plans in place so that the business of the township continues uninterrupted, no matter who is steering the ship. We have already begun this work and are establishing a process that will be built upon for years to come.
Other items on the agenda include seeking further transparency and accountability through creation of an annual Township Administrators Operating Budget Report, increasing collaboration with all levels of local government, and reviewing our tax increment financing strategy to optimize the tax money we send to our local government.
The most important thing a public servant can do is listen to his constituents. I am listening, and your Board of Trustees is listening. We – including you – are going to make Union Township the best place to live, work, and raise a family in Clermont County, the Cincinnati region, and the state of Ohio.