SABINA — Seven candidates are running for four seats on Sabina Village Council. The News Journal asked them to answer these questions:

1. What is your name/age/occupation?

2. Why do you want to be a Sabina Village Council member?

3. What goals would you have if elected?

4. How have you been involved with Sabina in official/unofficial capacities up until now?

5. Add???

BRUCE GOTTSCHALK

• My name is Bruce Gottschalk, I am 49 years old. I am a truck driver and have been with my current employer for over 11 years.

• I would like to be a member of the Sabina Village Council to try and make a difference in the village. I have worked closely with another village, and have knowledge of Council procedures.

• To address the issues in Sabina that need addressed is my goal if elected.

• I recently assisted the chair of the development committee in examining the storm drain systems on Florence and Grand Avenue. I also provided insight as to how to remedy a flooding situation on properties behind Flagway. In addition, I have suggested starting a safety committee to exam various issues I brought to the attention of the mayor and Councilman Mongold which may aid the village.

• During issues that have occurred in another municipality, I accepted a short-term position as village administrator to assist in redoing the infrastructure there. While in the position, I became familiar with multiple common issues, and possible solutions regarding street, sewer, and water departments. I have an extended knowledge of truck driving, and equipment safety, D.O.T. laws, and transportation. I am an open-minded individual and feel that citizens of Sabina will be able to come to me if an issue presents itself that needs brought to council’s attention. Thank you for your support.

WILLIAM C. “BILL” LEWIS

• Sabina area native with some 55 years in Clinton County affairs and approximately 11 years on Village Council.

• As Sabina representative to the Clinton County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) that offers many services to the village, I led the successful effort to save the Commission and provide fair representation to every county citizen, when the Clinton County Commissioners wanted to strip rights of citizens. In 2005, I initiated the efforts to energize the flood mitigation program to begin stream cleaning.

• Have stood up, sometimes alone, against actions and abuse I considered harmful to village citizens. I vow to continue, should you elect me. I want to help make Sabina better — not for a few, but for all willing to work for a better Sabina.

• Some priorities: Continue efforts to get Sabina out of the flood zone. Continue efforts to bring New Sabina Industries within Sabina, and add some $200,000 to $300,000 of income tax revenue annually into services and infrastructures of Sabina. If NSI enters Sabina, I want the 0.5 percent (1/2 percent) income tax eliminated. Incorporate Dakins Chapel Road into the village and reduce speed limit and improve safety for the good village citizens there who care about their families and property. Strong police responsiveness to serve and protect all citizens. Better enforcement of nuisance ordinances and make the village more livable and attractive. Improved streets and new and improved storm sewers. Become more proactive to match our fund resources with initiatives to earn grants. Speak out against false and misleading campaigns and posturing, such as many practiced in the 2015 Zoning Campaign that made Sabina worse not better. Three candidates I oppose are: Peggy Sloan has not been active in encouraging NSI to enter Sabina and improve the village. Vicki Mongold does not live up to her campaign sign slogan “teamwork not guesswork.” At a council meeting earlier this year she, a private citizen, interrupted private citizen Bill Olds who was recognized and addressing council; she then scurried across the room and got in his face. How would she be a “team player” on council? She was later picked by the mayor to co-chair, with Stefanie Haines, the campaign to pass the 0.5 percent (1/2 percent) income tax increase the focused on getting people to vote who would not pay the tax. I am not for Bruce Gottschalk, as he happens to be campaigning with the two candidates just mentioned. Helping Make Sabina Better. William C. “Bill” Lewis.

VICKI MONGOLD

• My name is Vicki Mongold. I am 48 years old and I am a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) of 16 individuals with developmental disabilities in Chillicothe.

• I want to be a member of Sabina Village Council because Sabina is a great place to live and it can be even better. I see potential in the village and I believe with a Council that can work as a team, and get things done, then there is a great deal of possibility. I like to listen to the community and hear what they have to say, and would like to bring those issues to council. I will make it a priority to study the issues presented to Council and to base my decisions on the facts of each situation and not my personal emotions or predetermined ideas. I believe that is what the citizens of Sabina expect from each member of Council. I will always look for the right decision for the Village of Sabina.

• I would like to try to help get more people interested in visiting Sabina. Just as an example, I feel the bike trail will benefit Sabina by bringing people through our town; we just need to show them what we have. I would also like to try to find more grants, and get more people interested in opening businesses in and moving to Sabina. I would like to get involved in making Sabina an even better place to visit, and bring life back to downtown. All of this may help strengthen our community and enhance local opportunities.

• In the past, I have volunteered to help with the Community Thanksgiving dinner organized by the Sabina Area Business Association. I have attended all but a very few Council meetings in the past two and one-half years, during which I have learned much. Mayor Dean Hawk chose me to be Chair of the Committee to promote the Sabina Police Levy, which was on the ballot in May 2017, and passed. This year I assisted the Sabina Area Business Association with Sabina Family Fun Night, which was a huge success. I administrate a Facebook page called “Sabina Community Information”.

• I have a Master’s Degree in Business Administration along with a concentration in Project Management. I feel this would be useful if I were elected to Council. Sabina Village Council should work together, each using their personal strengths, to make fact-based decisions that are right for the safety of my family, your family, and all our citizens and businesses. It would truly be an honor to serve the community as a member of the Sabina Village Council.

BILL OLDS

• 57 years old, retired and disabled since 2011

• I have lived in Sabina since 1960, and I want to take an oath to serve the people of Sabina. Everyone should be treated fair and equally, and I believe it’s time for change in the Sabina Village Council.

• My primary goals as a Sabina Village Council member would be to incorporate New Sabina Industries (NSI) to secure the funds needed to stabilize Sabina financially, and working hard on flood zone insurance relief.

• Serving the people of Sabina through the organization Sabina 2000.

• In the upcoming election there will be seven candidates on the ballot. I believe that William Lewis, Robert Storer, Michael Bishop, and myself could work together to improve streets and storm sewers, incorporate Dakins Chapel Road to reduce the speed limit for the road to improve safety, work to get Sabina out of the flood zone, and to incorporate New Sabina Industries into the Village. On October 12, 2017 the Village’s Fiscal Officer stated that Sabina will run into more financial difficulties within the next two years. I believe that the annex of NSI will ensure the financial stability of the Village. Now I’d like to inform you about the other three candidates. Peggy Sloan refuses to talk about annexation of NSI. She hasn’t stated her reasons as to why she is against it, just like the Mayor. After looking at Sloan’s properties on Sherman Street and South Jackson it is easy to see why she would not want any type of zoning. Sloan also claims that her ability to provide oversight to the finance committee has been the key to the success of Sabina’s financial situation. Is that why $200,000 had to be taken from the sewer fund and transferred into the general funds? She also failed to provide financial oversight to the 2017 swimming pool operation; from start to finish, the pool lost $6,000 in just 75 days. She has had 18 years on council, and has yet to provide leadership as president of the council. Vicki Mongold, wife of council member Jim Mongold, with two more years of his term to go. Do you really want to give a married couple 1/3 power in votes? She also strongly opposes the annex of NSI, for no known reasons. Bruce Gottschalk, I can’t say much about him. When I asked him about annexing NSI he said he didn’t care one way or another. He is also the brother-in-law of the Sabina’s Village Administrator, Rob Dean. I have been to several council meetings in the past 18 months, and I have yet to see or hear a word about any issue concerning the village from Vicki Mongold or Bruce Gottschalk, do they really care? To the people of Sabina, I would strongly recommend you meet and talk to each candidate before you vote. Please, vote responsibly and God bless Sabina – Yours truly, Bill Olds.

PEGGY A. SLOAN

• Age: 62; construction worker

• I like small-town government. It’s always a challenge.

• Work with mayor and council to get new business. Never make promises.

• Currently a council member.

ROBERT C. STORER

• 70 years old, security guard and retired teacher.

• To listen to the people and help them with needed improvements.

• 1) To reduce the regional tax burden on our citizens by methods available to us by law; 2) Enforce ordinances already on the books to protect property values and reduce nuisance trashing of properties; 3) Find replacement businesses for unused buildings not currently being rented or purchased; and 4) Help committees provide positive solutions to crime, fire protection volunteers and community needs.

• Have served two previous terms on council. Challenge FEMA on the flood insurance requirements on residents. We lost Sabina 2000, an organization that donated time and money to village projects. They provided needs of social value to our community.

• I would also like to see Sabina have a Fourth of July fireworks celebration and to have a “zombie walk” at Halloween time to be a benefit for cancer. And we would like to have everybody come to council meetings the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 to make their comments and suggestions that would help make this a better village.

The News Journal did not receive answers to its candidates questionnaire from Michael Bishop, who is also on the ballot.