|
|
Darke County League of Women Voters
Adams, Fisher
square off at Candidates’ Forum
Questions included bailout, St. Mary’s, wastewater from fracking
By Elaine Bailey
A Candidates’ Forum sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Darke
County included Q&A’s for 80th House District incumbent Richard N.
Adams (R) and challenger Dave W. Fisher (D); and Ohio Court of Appeals,
2nd District candidates Carley Ingram and Jeffrey M. Welbaum.
The forum was held on the second Monday prior to the November General
Election at the American Legion on Ohio Street in Greenville. In an
effort to stimulate diplomatic, informative dialogue between the
candidate and the voters, questions were written by the attendees and
screened by a panel of League members, equally represented from the
Democratic and Republican parties.
The 84th House District forum was cancelled due to illness on the part
of the Democratic candidate Ronald L. Hammons. Incumbent
Republican candidate Jim Buchy introduced himself prior to the
introductions presented by the unopposed candidates.
State
Representative, 80th House District
Richard Adams (R) is the current representative for the 79th
District. With the redistricting and renumbering of the
districts, the 79th District is now the 80th House District. It will
continue to cover Miami County and will now include Harrison and
Liberty Townships in Darke County and eliminate Richland
Township. Adam’s is completing his fourth year as a state
representative.
Dave Fisher said that although he has never been an elected official,
he has been extremely involved in the community and the important
political issues in the community.
As our representative how do you plan to listen to the electorate on
issues?
Fisher: plans on getting focus groups throughout the district in order
to address the concerns of the public
Adams: said that he makes it a practice to meet weekly with
constituents
What are your plans for improving our state legislature?
Adams: one of the things we need to continue doing is the creation of
jobs so that we can work within a balanced budget while doing things to
generate more tax revenue at existing tax rates. That means more good
jobs.
Fisher: said that Adams did not answer the question. He said that
legislature needed to get away from partisanship not only here and in
Columbus, but all over. There is a great divide and he intends to
cut through it.
How much of Ohio’s improved economy can be attributed to the auto
rescue?
Fisher: The auto rescue saved a lot of jobs in the state of Ohio. The
down supply companies, the non-union shops that supply parts would have
suffered and other auto companies would have been affected.
Adams: admitted that the auto rescue played a part but that there
were many other things that have occurred that have enabled us to do
better. Agriculture is so important and it’s important to see that it
remains strong in order to have jobs.
Fisher asked Adams if he was for or against the bailout.
“I think the bailout is somewhat of a negative term. I think what
we are talking about is the degree to which government as a partner
with business and industry provided some funds.”
Do you consider companies using temporary employees in the figure for
economic improvement?
Adams: said that we need to think in terms of good jobs that represent
economic improvement
Fisher: said no because most of those individuals are under-employed
and companies need high-tech, qualified people due to changes in
industry.
Adams: said that there are 80,000 job openings because people do not
have the right skills and that is an area where government can be
helpful.
What do you think about the two-million dollars that was spent cleaning
up algae at St. Mary’s that did not work? What would you do to clean up
the lake?
Fisher: said that he didn’t know if the money was used well, but that
something needed to be done and it will take time and more money to
help the community and businesses find the right solution.
Adams: said that it was a lot of money but that the state of Ohio has a
vested interest in the outcome due to the importance of tourism in that
area.
Waste water from fracking has been reported to be coming into Ohio from
other states. Uranium and other toxins have been reported as contained
in the water. What is your stand on this waste water and you aware of
any house bills related to this?
Adams: is opposed to having the waste water from other states trucked
into Ohio and injected into wells. He said that it can be done and
Legislature along with the department of Natural Resources and
Department of Agriculture is looking into how the material that comes
from the fracking of shale can be injected back into these wells so
that it is economically safe and does not compromise the area in which
it is deposited.
Fisher: said it was a bad idea. He compared it to the community’s
opposition to the CO2 sequestration three years ago and suggested that
no one would want this waste water dumped in Darke or Miami County.
Fisher said that there is a bill on the floor dealing with the health
issues of injecting waste water into wells.
Adams restated that he is opposed to waste water with unknown chemical
substances from other states trucked to Ohio. He further
explained the reason for the bill.
“That particular bill was done because of some concerns about the
degree to which companies would have information exposed that would
compromise their patent or copyright advantage. Now… there is a
concern, of course, that if there would be a need for a medical person
to have access to that information, that they should know exactly what
treatment they might be providing if that would happen.”
Fisher challenged the position of Adams by saying, “He said in the
first part of his statement that he was okay with it, if it was safe.
Now he’s telling us, just in a few seconds, now he’s telling us that
he’s not okay with it coming from out of state. I’m here to tell you,
I’m not okay with it at all.”
Adams countered by saying that as we look at the tremendous amount of
oil and gas that can be harvested, and with what has occurred in other
states where they were able to do this in an environmentally friendly
way, we need the kind of technology in Ohio so that it can be done. It
would provide jobs. But it would have to be done well before we
would support it.
Education is very important to improving Ohio’s economy. Do you support
cutting school funding, and if so, what are your reasons?
Fisher: pointed out that school funding was deemed unconstitutional
about 18 years ago and yet no bill has been presented to solve school
funding.
“I propose that I will have a school funding bill within 60 days after
I take office.”
Adams: does not support cutting school funding. He attempted to
explain the attempts of dealing with school funding first by former
Governor Strickland with his failed Evidence-Based Model and then the
more resent Transition Model. However, time was not enough to
discuss school funding.
Both candidates agreed that school funding was important and Adams said
that it is time to restore some of the funds to the schools.
Mr. Fisher says that you voted against health and nutrition standards
for schools. Can you please comment?
Adams: said that he voted against it because he believes that the
schools in Darke County are capable of determining what the menu should
be. He said that there is too much federal control; it is
necessary for local control.
“I have confidence in the school districts of Darke and Miami County to
make the decision of what the menu will be…… we need to make sure it’s
the kind of food they need, not what Washington, DC thinks they need.”
Fisher: said that some of the best nutrition is coming from the school
for some of the children and that children learn best when they are fed
well.
Ohio Court of
Appeals 2nd District
Carley Ingram said that as a lawyer in the Montgomery County
Prosecutor’s office for 32 years and an appellate attorney with a broad
range of experiences and knowledge, that she can make sure that the
laws are applied fairly to the victims, witnesses, and people whose
lives are affected by court decisions. She said that the Dayton
Bar Association judicial poll has rated her across the board as being
more qualified than her opponent. Her credentials and endorsements can
be read at http://www.carleyingram.com/
Jeffrey M. Welbaum said that he will add a new dynamic to the court
with a unique blend of talents and diverse experiences that come from
being a judge for sixteen years, a county prosecutor, practicing
lawyer, public defender, assistant US attorney in Dayton, and having
appellate experience. He pointed out that Miami County Bar Association
rated him higher. http://www.jeffwelbaum.com/
What are your goals in regard to the future of your court?
Welbaum: to add a new dynamic to that court with a unique blend
of talents and experiences... to be a new ingredient to the court to
make it better
Ingram: respects the court and said that the court has a very
high level of judicial knowledge, makes thoughtful decisions, is
respectful to each other and to the people who come before them, and
she wants to continue to bring excellent legal scholarship and
collegiality to the court
Ingram said that no matter what happens in the November election that
three of the five judges will be trial lawyers. She said that
putting another trial lawyer on the panel would not bring it
diversity.
Briefly describe the responsibilities of an appellate judge and what
types of cases come before you on a regular basis?
Both candidates explained that the cases are varied and arise from any
kind of legal proceeding that need to be reviewed from the 56 trial
judges across six counties: divorce, child custody, domestic,
criminal and civil cases, or probate matters. Anyone who does not
feel he has been treated fairly has the right to appeal. It is an
important process to insure that a person has been treated fairly under
the law.
In your opinion and experience what is the area where the toughest
decisions are required?
Welbaum: when a case that’s close on the law… an ambiguous law, a
law that’s been crafted by interest groups that may even conflict with
another law that was crafted by a compromise between different
political parties or interest groups… trying to determine what the
legislature intended
Ingram: agreed that when statutes are ambiguous it is difficult;
however, she said that’s really the ‘bread and butter’ of what an
appellate court judge does. She said that dealing with criminal
cases is difficult… knowing that a person may have richly earned a
conviction… that although fairly determined… it creates sadness and
hardship for other people. Ingram said that it is important that
the law is applied fairly and that people are treated fairly.
How would you improve the function of the court?
Ingram: said that some of the decisions are a little slow… she
tends to get things done. Having been a practitioner for many
years, she said that systemically, she saw no need for
improvement. She said the justice system works best when more
voices are heard… she said that the rules are different in appellate
and she understands appellate law. She would keep a court that is
collegial and fair.
Welbaum: to have a thorough knowledge of all areas of law that
the court reviews
Do you feel that the budget for the courts needs to be increased?
Welbaum: No. There have been cutbacks. However, he said the
courts are operating efficiently and effectively.
Ingram: agreed
If you don’t like the result in your court, what do you do after that?
Welbaum: Ninety percent of the time that is the last of the
appeals unless you can get into a higher court such as the Ohio Supreme
Court or a Federal Court. Most of the time, it is the end of the line
for a litigant.
Ingram: Right after the decision is made, a person can return to
the court and ask for a re-consideration. Sometime the court is
open to that. If it were warranted, I would reconsider. She
agreed that in most cases, this is the last step… making the process at
this stage very important.
Do you think you would be influenced if you ran into a former client in
a case before you, and can you recluse yourself if there was a conflict?
Both candidates said that a judge can recluse him or herself and both
would do so if the situation warranted it.
Other topics during the forum included online schooling, double-dipping
by public officials, right to work, high-speed rail, and redistricting.
Also on the ballot
in November
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas-Probate and Juvenile Division,
Unexpired Term Ending 2-8-2015 (Vote for one): Jason Aslinger
County Commissioner, Full Term Commencing 1-2-2013 (Vote for one):
Diane L. Delaplane (R)
County Commissioner, Full Term Commencing 1-3-2013 (Vote for one):
Michael W. Rhoades (R)
Prosecuting Attorney, Full Term Commencing 1-7-2013 (Vote for one); R.
Kelly Ormsby III (R)
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Full Term Commencing 1-7-2013 (Vote
for one): Cindy Pike (R)
County Recorder, Full Term Commencing 1-7-2013 (Vote for one): Linda
Stachler (R)
County Treasurer, Full Term Commencing 9-2-2013 (Vote for one): Scott
J. Zumbrink (D)
County Engineer, Full Term Commencing 1-7-2013 (Vote for one): Jim
Surber (D)
Everyone is encouraged to vote during this year’s Presidential General
Election. Darke County voters may vote early by going to the
Darke County Board of Elections at 300 Garst Avenue. The dates
and times are:
Now until Thursday, November 1 from 8 am – 7 pm
Friday, November 2 8 am – 6 pm
Saturday, November 3 8 am – 2 pm
Sunday, November 4 1 pm – 5 pm
Monday, November 5 8 am – 2 pm
Sample ballots are available at www.electionsonthe.net
The forum concluded with the reading of the pros and cons of State
Issue 1 by Carl Jones and State Issue 2 by Alex Warner. These
issues can be viewed at www.electionsonthe.net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
