How's that?
Johnnie A. Maier, Jr. (former Stark County Democratic Party chairman and Massillon clerk of courts) protege Celeste DeHoff is not running for re-election.
Clearly, with her decision not to run for re-election as Tuscarawas Township trustee, DeHoff has blessed the township. While there is hope, the possibility of Dean Green (who is seeking re-election) being retained threatens the blooming of hope into reality.
DeHoff and Green, in the opinion of the SCPR, have kept Tuscarawas in a state of turmoil for the immediate past four years being trustees.
So with the departure of DeHoff, Tuscarawas Township voters apparently are about to benefit from an "addition by subtraction" phenomenon. It could be that a worse fate awaits Tuscarawas, depending on whom voters select to replace her. But it is hard to imagine that happening.
Here is a list of the candidates:
A remedy for voters in Tuscarawas is to call the candidates. Their phone numbers are listed in the graphic above. Then send the SCPR an email (at tramols@att.net) with an account of their responses.
One thing is for sure.
Dean Green should not be returned as Tuscarwas Township trustee.
But who as an alternative?
A tough question.
Give Hemperly and Hollinger a plus for not thumbing their noses at Tuscarawas voters.
Let's review what Hemperly and Hollinger have to say about their candidacies:
HEMPERLY
WHAT ABOUT HOW THE CURRENT SET OF TRUSTEES ARE HANDLING TOWNSHIP MATTERS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE?
Gee, where do I begin?
The trustees go into executive session without making the correct motion or no motion atall, they make fun of the questions the residents ask, they call the residents names, they refuse to answer questions or make them fill out a public records request.
They hired a secretary whose main job is to transcribe the minutes of the meetings (only 2 per month) and answer the phone.
They permit a part time road employee to work 4 am to 11 am without supervision.
They spend thousands on lawsuits, appeals and attorney fees.
Tuscarawas Township has no police, no fire department, no zoning and only have a road crew of one full time for 57 miles of roads.
I believe they spend more on the attorney and secretary then they do the full time road employee. In the winter, the township used to have 3 truck drivers to clear the snow, now they only have 1 full time and one part time
They have ruined in 12 years what I and the other previous trustees helped built up in 14 years.
IF YOU ARE ELECTED TRUSTEE, WHAT DO YOU WISH TO ACHIEVE DURING YOUR FOUR YEAR TERM?HOLLINGER
I want to end all the law suites [sic] and restore the road crew back to it's full contingent of three.
I would like to work with the city of Massillon and surrounding townships to find ways to save tax dollars and end all the fighting and bickering.
I want to make the township meetings a less intimidating experience for residents and encourage better communications through out the meeting, not just during the public speaks section.
Tuscarawas Township has become the laughing stock of Stark County and I would like to end that.
During my previous watch, the township built 2 storage buildings, a salt bin and a new administrative building. We updated the road department with three new trucks, a 4 wheel drive back hoe, new mowers and a new wheel loader. I helped design and build the Brookfield Cemetery's Veterans Memorial.
The only thing the current board has built is distrust, apathy and their own ego's. I am not running for the money, the benefits, or any prestige.
I don't need the aggravation but I worked had to make the township a better place when I served before. I didn't see anyone who could defeat the current trustees and I feel it's my duty to fight for my township. We need common sense not nonsense.
WHAT ABOUT HOW THE CURRENT SET OF TRUSTEES ARE HANDLING TOWNSHIP MATTERS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED FROM YOUR PROSPECTIVE?
Where WOULD I BEGIN!!!!!!
Again, restore honesty, trust, and creditability the present board has destroyed.
The current board has tied up thousands of dollars (which is the residents hard earned money) in legal fees (which could be spent on improvements such as sewer and water that is so desperately needed to residents) fighting a three-year battle over two fired road employees. While this battle goes on they are depriving the residents of adequate services.
The current Board has ignored the public and put up barriers not giving them the right to speak out.
IF YOU ARE ELECTED TRUSTEE, WHAT DO YOU WISH TO ACHIEVE DURING YOUR FOUR-YEAR TERM?
Again, improve public relations; work with other government agencies in sharing road, fire and police labor and responsibilities that border the township.
Seek Federal Funds in the form of grants or loans to bring a sanitary sewer system, public water system – providing safe drinking water and providing fire hydrants to help lower homeowners fire insurance.FINAL WORD
The SCPR is making no endorsements for the time being. However, it is clear that Dean Green should not be re-elected.
Unfortunately, he stands a very good chance of being re-elected because of the large field of candidates. It will take a focused effort by his two leading opponents to retire Green.
The two leading opponents appear to be Hemperly and Hollinger.
The question is: Can they they make Green a bad "political" memory?
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