Roachdale host to candidates forum Thursday

Friday, October 23, 2015
Roachdale Revitalization Cooperative Alliance President Joe Buser introduces candidates Thursday in a first-ever town hall meeting designed to familiarize residents with various campaigns. (Banner Graphic/Nick Wilson)

ROACHDALE -- For the first time in recent history, candidates for Roachdale's upcoming Nov. 3 election met to introduce themselves in a Meet the Candidates forum Thursday night, christening the stretch run of political races throughout Putnam County in the process.

Nine candidates comprised the panel, fielding questions that covered a wide range of topics, including finances, alert systems and town clean-up.

Running for the office of clerk-treasurer are (incumbent clerk-treasurer) Martha Louk, Katrina Asher and Debbie Sillery. Meanwhile, hopefuls for positions on the town's three-member board are (incumbent board member) Zach Bowers, Holly Cook, Kevin Cook, Jim Cromwell, Rick Kiefer and Rick Miles Jr.

The introductory forum was moderated by Chris Muse and Adrea Hernandez.

Roachdale Revitalization Cooperative Alliance President Joe Buser organized this inaugural, political event and introduced the candidates, saying "this is local politics at its best right here."

"I want to encourage everyone to get involved, knock on doors, talk to your neighbors -- let's show a record number for voter turnout in Roachdale this year," Buser said. "Let's make a difference."

Moderators Muse and Hernandez first spoke with candidates Sillery, Asher and Louk, respectively, about the position of clerk-treasurer, asking, "What kind of efficiency efforts would you like to see the treasurer's office employ, if you are elected?"

"I am very good at going in and analyzing situations," Sillery said. "As someone who has not held the position, it's hard for me to say 'this is efficient' or 'this is inefficient.' I would see what changes or improvements can be made."

Next to speak was Asher, saying, "I think, for me, the first thing is that I have some ideas of some things that for myself, personally, I think we could change as far as the town office goes."

"One of the things on my list is the hours," Asher continued. "But I think we need to find out what our residents want and what (they) want from our town office."

Louk responded in kind.

"I'm (currently) in that position and have been for quite some time," Louk said, wrapping up initial clerk-treasurer questions. "I'm just going to continue to make sure we're paying our taxes on time like I've done before. I strive to pay our loans off early and I try to make sure we have funds available to make cash purchases and avoid interest charges."

Later, the focus shifted to the forum's town board aspirants and the possibility of "cleaning up" the town. Muse and Hernandez, who gathered questions ahead of the forum, asked "what do you think about cleaning up Roachdale?"

In no particular order, the candidates responded with a broad range of answers, including fees for residents who violate town ordinances, conscientious behavior and community service.

"I think the current board has been doing a lot already ... starting with the town marshal and letting (residents) know to clean up their areas," Miles Jr. said. "There are a lot of places here in town that need to be taken care of and I think part of what we're doing now is working."

Kiefer was the next to respond, saying "what we don't need is a strong government inclusion -- we have enough of that already -- but there has to be some sort of regulation."

"I think we need to continue with the marshal letting people know ... newsletters ... stepping up enforcement as it needs to be done," Kiefer added.

Attention turned to Cromwell for his ideas concerning town clean-up.

"There has to be some way to get grants through the federal government to help clean up areas," Cromwell said. "There must be a better way than the way we're doing it now."

Holly Cook, Kevin Cook and Bowers then expounded the notions, adding their own ideas in the process.

"There are some laws and ordinances in place now that help control some of the overgrowth," Kevin Cook said. "I don't think there's one simple solution to solving every problem."

Holly Cook added that using other towns as examples would be a good idea.

"I know Bainbridge has an old (and) successful Tox-Away Day, and they've budgeted for it," Holly Cook said. "It has to be something we plan to be very successful and I think we can do the same sort of thing very easily."

Bowers wrapped up the clean-up questions, saying "I've been working on property clean-ups since day one when I was on the council."

"We have, what I feel, is a pretty strong property clean-up ordinance," Bowers said. "If (Town Marshal) Mike Mahoy goes and tells someone that their yard needs mowed or something needs fixed, we have to give them at least 10 days to start. If, on day 10 they start, we have to keep working with them. It's a long, drawn-out process and I think we've done a very good job of it so far."

This year's election is set to take place on Nov. 3. For more information, visit townofroachdale.org or call the Roachdale town hall at 522-2297.

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  • I thought the candidates forum was very "healthy" for the town of Roachdale.

    I was proud of EACH candidates responses to the questions. With exposure like this, residents have the opportunity to make educated decisions when they go to vote. This is the foundation for Roachdale and its future.

    I wish the best for all candidates and Residents.

    Charley

    -- Posted by criggle2@tds.net on Sat, Oct 24, 2015, at 8:55 AM
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