MIAMI TOWNSHIP — Miami Township citizens passed a levy last election day that will build a new fire/rescue station. This election season, they are asked to select two new trustees out of three individuals vying for the seats.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Candidates Mark Crockett and Lamar Spracklen currently serve as trustees while candidate Don Hollister is challenging them. The trustees meet the first and third Monday of each month.

This newspaper sent each candidate questionnaires relating to their experience and what they see as the most important issue facing the township as election day draws nearer. The following candidates returned the questionnaires. These are their answers.

Mark Crockett

Question 1 – Why are you the right candidate for this seat?

“I have served as a Miami Township Trustee for 16 years, resided in and raised my family in the community for 44 years and was a business owner for 30 years. All these experiences have helped inform me and make me a better trustee.”

Question 2 – What is the most important issue facing this office going forward and what solutions do you have to offer voters for this issue?

“The most important issue facing the township trustees is the building and funding of the new fire station to make it work for the needs of the fire fighters and the community. The priority of the fire department has always been to provide the highest degree of care. Over my years as trustee, I have seen that commitment grow to include better education, better equipment and a push to increase volunteers.”

Don Hollister

Q1 – “As Miami Township undertakes the $5.75 million construction of a new fire/rescue station and the fire department volunteer base is eroding, the township needs a more engaged and active trustee. I am a lifelong resident of Miami Township with local service including Boy Scout Explorer Post advisor, Village Plan Commission, Village Council, Interim Director of Glen Helen, Friends Care Center Board, Tecumseh Land Trust Board.

Hollister has also been active as a state and local policy advocate including 2014 Ohio Farm Bureau Healthy Waters steering committee, Director of Ohio League of Conservation Voters – $50 million per year for the Clean Ohio Fund- agriculture, conservation land, bike trails, 1983-86 Policy Analyst for Ohio Governor Celeste, 1972 Chair of Commercial Areas Planning Task Force – Yellow Springs “one downtown” policy. I work for the Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions as Senior Fellow. They recently bought a farm west of Yellow Springs and he is assisting in the formation of a Center for Regenerative Agriculture.“

Q2 – “Community involvement in and communication about our existing services should be our highest concern. With a new facility being built in a residential area the Miami Township Trustees can no longer operate under the radar. I will help publicize the good work of our volunteer fire department. Notes in the newspaper, updating the www.miamitownship.net.”

Lamar Spracklen

Q1 – “I have 16 years experience as a Miami Township Trustee. In addition, I have attended most of the yearly three-day conference of the Ohio Township Association. These yearly conferences are important as updates are given on township law, EMT service, cemetery issues, road maintenance; these are issues about which trustees need to be knowledgeable. I have also been self-employed all my life, so I am accustomed to negotiating with a variety of people to accomplish a task.”

Q2 – “The most important issue is completing the construction of the new fire station in a responsible manner. We have met numerous times with the architects concerning financing, building materials, a practical configuration of building space and other construction choices. The new station will be in use for many years so it deserves careful attention.”