Commissioner candidate profile: Greg Grove

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GREG GROVE

Republican

Age: 56

Residence: Wilmington/Adams Township

Occupation: Retired Marine Corps Veteran & School Principal

What are your qualifications for the position of Clinton County Commissioner?

I believe I am uniquely qualified to serve as Clinton County Commissioner. I am a proud American, Combat Veteran, Conservative, Patriot, Citizen, Clinton County Resident, Taxpayer, Registered Republican, and Voter. I have a very diverse professional and educational background. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University (Engineering Technology), and 3 Master’s Degrees from University of Southern California (Systems Management), Naval War College (National Security and Strategic Studies), and Xavier University (Education). I honorably served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps for 21 years; I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2001. Key highlights of my Marine Corps career include serving in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and as Commanding Officer of MTACS-18, in Okinawa, Japan. Upon my retirement, and for the next 13 years, I proudly served as Assistant and Building Principal(s) at Clinton-Massie High, Middle, and Elementary Schools, retiring in 2014. I know that my many professional experiences in the Marine Corps and Public Education have honed my Leadership skills. In my opinion, Strong Conservative Leadership is what is truly needed in the Clinton County Commissioner’s Office. I am confident that I possess these qualifications and that they would serve me well as your Commissioner.

Why do you want to be a commissioner?

To continue my life’s work: Service. I have found no greater joy than helping others and in the knowledge that my actions, comments, and deeds have made a positive impact on other peoples’ lives. I have dedicated my entire adult life, nearly 35 years, in service to my Country and Community. I believe that I have a lot more to give to this wonderful home we call Clinton County. In spite of living elsewhere while a military dependent and in the Marines, I feel like I grew up in Clinton County and my roots are here. No doubt, we have a lot to be thankful for as residents of Clinton County, but there is still more work to be done! I want to help do that work and make Clinton County better for all of us and future generations to come.

Describe the kind of commissioner you would like to be.

A Conservative, Genuine, Honest, Hard-working Leader for our County! Commissioners need to be visible in the community and compassionate leaders who care deeply about our residents’ safety, health, and quality of life. I will be a Commissioner willing to make timely decisions, even if they are not politically popular. I believe an effective Commissioner needs to listen as much as they speak. If elected, I would travel to all 13 Townships that make up this wonderful County and really listen to your comments, concerns, and recommendations. Then, as your Commissioner, I would work hard to turn those comments, concerns, and recommendations into doable action plans back at the Courthouse. That is the kind of Commissioner I would like to be.

What goals would you have if elected?

I have 3 main goals that I would pursue if were to be elected as your next Clinton County Commissioner:

1. Maintain and/or Improve the Safety & Security of all Clinton County Residents.

2. Ensure the efficient and prudent Budget Management and expenditure of your hard-earned tax dollars.

3. Development & implementation of a long-term plan to Invest (financially) and Reinvest (in the Community) the proceeds from the sale of the Clinton Memorial Hospital and resultant interest revenue stream.

Admittedly, there are many opportunities for a Commissioner to positively affect Clinton County. I believe my top 3 goals are critical to Clinton County residents’ safety and continued economic growth and prosperity.

The commissioners oversee millions of dollars in public money. What’s your fiscal philosophy as to how that money should be overseen?

I pride myself on being fiscally conservative. I believe in small government, living within your means, and spending only what you really need. I have always handled my personal finances that way, and believe that our local, State, and Federal governments should do the same! I believe government employees should not buy anything that we, the taxpayer, can’t afford! I strongly believe in the lowest possible taxes, balanced budgets, and fiscally conservative elected officials!

I have had extensive experience managing large budgets comparable to our Clinton County’s Annual Budget. If elected to the Commissioner’s Office, I would be consistently conservative with every dollar spent in Clinton County.

Do you support the county’s levied 0.5 percent sales tax or do you think it should be reduced, increased or expire this year?

Regrettably, Clinton County has the highest Local Sales Tax in Southwest Ohio. This is not fair for consumers and, perhaps, results in County residents going out-of-town to shop. The levied 0.5% additional sales tax was enacted as a temporary measure when investment savings were critically low and expenditures versus revenues warranted it. This is no longer the case. Clinton County savings and investments are up substantially, with a potential revenue stream to follow from the sale and investment proceeds from the Clinton Memorial Hospital.

Therefore, I fully support the Clinton County Commissioner’s position of eliminating the levied 0.5% County Sales Tax. I have spoken with the Commissioners and have been assured that this elimination would not adversely affect the Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Budget nor the County’s foreseeable fiscal future.

During the four-year term of office you seek, the county expects to receive millions of dollars from the sale of the formerly county-owned Clinton Memorial Hospital. What should be done with that money?

I believe that any and all proceeds from the sale of the Clinton Memorial Hospital should be handled, as follows:

1. Invest the money wisely to ensure 100% capital preservation and maximized return. The interest from these investments, then could, and should, be:

2. Reinvested in Clinton County. This subject requires considerable research, discussion, and County-wide input. I will say, however, that I am a proponent for building a centrally-located YMCA or Community Health, Wellness, and Recreation Center that all residents could use. I recognize that this has been a contentious issue, but I am confident that consensus and a Community Center could be built that would greatly benefit County residents, and, ultimately, attract business, industry, and additional residents yearning for a place to call home.

Do you wish to briefly add something that hasn’t been touched upon in your responses?

I have spent nearly 35 years in service to our Country and Community. I am fully committed and would be honored to have the opportunity to serve our wonderful County as your Commissioner. I ask that you please consider me when you go to the polls on March 15th. Thank you.

Grove
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News Journal

Over the course of eight days, the News Journal is printing, verbatim, the answers to our questionnaire sent to each of the eight candidates — seven Republicans and one Democrat — for two seats for Clinton County Commissioner in the March 15 primary election.

For the seat which begins Jan. 3, 2017, the primary election candidates are Democrat Dean Feldmeyer, and Republicans James Fife and Kerry Steed. For the seat which begins Jan. 2, 2017, the primary election candidates are Republicans Greg Grove, Terry Habermehl, Scott Holmer, Mike McCarty and Brenda Woods.

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