BEAVERCREEK — Four candidates are aiming to fill three spots on Beavercreek City Council Nov. 7.
A new face on the ballot, Joanna Garcia, is an attorney at a Dayton law firm. At a Candidates and Issues Forum, hosted by the Beavercreek Republican Women’s Club Oct. 23, Garcia said she planned to work with the police department on the heroin epidemic and collaborate with colleagues to share services and reduce costs.
The ballot will also show two spaces underneath council for write-in candidates. Shannon Graham and Ryan Rushing are both verified write-in candidates.
Graham, who has served as president of Beavercreek Rotary and is active with the Popcorn Festival, said one of his main issues would be to stabilize the budget by making levies long-term and indefinite. Rushing, who works in the Greene County Treasurer’s office and is finance director for the Village of Carlisle, said he would focus on issues like the management of stormwater and a community curb and sidewalk program, aging infrastructure and quality schools and parks and recreation.
Current Mayor of Beavercreek Bob Stone is an incumbent eyeing a council position. He has also served as township trustee, city councilman and vice mayor. According to Stone, if re-elected to serve a 14th year in public service, he would use his past experience, spend money wisely, and listen to people.
This newspaper sent a questionnaire to the four candidates and one was returned.
Bob Stone
Why are you the right candidate for this seat?
“I am a 1967 BHS grad, I attended Wright State, then took a 19 month vacation in Vietnam. Discharged from the Army in 1972, I went to work at the Montgomery County health Dept. where I met Margaret. I started my own business in 1979 and with Margaret’s help we grew the business and raised our Son. That partnership continues today as you often see Margaret joining me at public functions. My elected experience includes, township trustee, city councilman, vice mayor, and currently serving as mayor of Beavercreek. With my long history and experience I wish to help the new and younger office holders better know our city’s history.
If I have in any small way helped our residents feel good about our city, feel good about the future, feel secure, and if I helped to keep our City a great place to raise a family, then I have accomplished my goals. The past two years have been the most enjoyable years of my public service, and I would very much enjoy to continue that serve.”
What is the most important issue facing this office going forward and what solutions do you have to offer voters for this issue?
“We must continue to evaluate the needs and desires of all 47,000 of our residents. This is done by being in the community, as I am now, meeting with all types of organizations, be it schools, civic, religious, recreation, business, or the family at the grocery store. It is ongoing, never ending and always changing as wants and desires evolve. We can be anything we desire as long as we are willing to pay for it.
Living in Beavercreek, we often feel isolated from horrifically violent acts and natural disasters but it can happen anywhere any time. It is the responsibility of the Mayor and Council to be sure our staff and first responders are well prepared. We also must insure that our neighborhoods and business communities stay strong and vibrant.The more proactive we can be today, lessens the need to be reactive tomorrow.”
