Below are the questions The Clermont Sun asked candidates running for office on the Nov. 7 ballot.

For this election, candidates running for an uncontested seat/position were told that they need not respond.

The Clermont Sun published the first installment of responses in the Oct. 26 edition of The Clermont Sun.

The Clermont Sun utilized the email addresses on file with the Clermont County Board of Elections to distribute the questionnaire. Also, an announcement to receive the Candidate Questionaire was posted on The Clermont Sun’s social media websites. Finally, a notice to request a questionnaire was published in the Oct. 26 edition of The Clermont Sun. Some candidates did not respond to the Candidate Questionnaire email that was distributed and they did not respond to the variety of announcements.

We asked each candidate four questions:

  1. Where do you specifically live (meaning, which village, township or city), and please include a short bio of who you are and your prior experience.
  2. Why are you running for this office?
  3. What is your platform?
  4. Where can voters go to learn more about your candidacy?

The only condition we placed upon their responses was to limit their total response to 200 words. We’ve also done light editing for grammar and style reasons. Otherwise, the responses remain as submitted to us.

As a reminder, the remaining responses are grouped along with any other candidates running for that same local office.

Batavia Village Mayor

C. Scott Runck

I am running for the position of Mayor in the Village of Batavia. I am the Managing Funeral Director at Moore Family Funeral Homes. Service has always been part of my character. I have been in public service for 25 + years as a Batavia Village Council Member and Batavia School Board member. I am a member of many service organizations as well. My wife and I have two daughters. My goal is for Batavia to help the village thrive while keeping the personality of the town, be transparent and fiscally responsible. Voters can call me anytime. 513-519-8126.

Batavia Village Council

Michael Kinner

My name is Michael Kinner, I am a candidate for Batavia Village Council and will be on the ballot on Tuesday November 7th. Show your voting power by selecting only 1 candidate, me.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I graduated from Batavia High School in 1982. After high school I attended the University of Bridgeport, in Connecticut, University of Cincinnati and received my Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and business from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

I have been a licensed insurance agent in the State of Ohio since November 5, 1992. I have practiced independently for over 25 years representing clients for personal and commercial insurance along with specializing in public entity work for property & casualty and group health. Batavia Village had been one of my clients for many years, until my decision to run for village council. I didn’t want any potential conflict while running for office or, if I am elected, so I sold the account effective September 1, 2023.

I am asking for your vote as I am concerned about our Village. The council over the past several years has accumulated almost 8.9 million dollars in debt* which for its 1,972 residents (2020 census) equates to approx. $4548.06 per resident! That is a debt that we, the village residents, owe, and we are responsible for repaying! (This response was edited to maintain the 200-word limit.)

Goshen Local School District

Member of Board

John Benthien

I live in Pleasant Plain, OH which is in Goshen Local School District. I have been on the board of education for 10 years. My son and daughter both attended and graduated from Goshen Local Schools. My daughter is a teacher there now. I am running for re-election because I enjoy serving the community and helping improve the school district. While I have been on the board we have operated under budget for the past 10 years. As a board member, I make students, teachers, and parents a priority to ensure that Goshen students have a wide range of academic opportunities, internships, and college readiness. I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 7th because I believe I have the experience to continue improving the district. I remain dedicated to surveying the community and Goshen Local Schools. Submitted by John Benthien current president of Goshen School Board.

Lisa Wernke

1. I live in Goshen Township. I have been an active volunteer in our school district for many years, including serving as the treasurer and president of our district’s PTO for a combined 8 years. I was appointed to the current Board of Education in March, 2023, when a vacancy became available when a board member moved out of the school district.

2. I am running to keep my position on the Board of Education.

3. My priorities are taking consideration of every voice of citizens, students, parents, and staff. I also pledge to continue the tradition of academic excellence promoting high achievement and expanding academic opportunities for our students.

4. Voters can visit my Facebook page, Lisa Wernke for Goshen School Board, for more information.