Steed, Woods elected to county commission

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Clinton County voters re-elected Republican Kerry R. Steed to a second term as county commissioner Tuesday, as he received 12,332 votes (71.6 percent) while challenger Democrat Dean Feldmeyer collected 4,886 votes (28.4 percent).

Steed said, “Tough elections make us work harder and recognize unforeseen challenges. Providing seasoned leadership and bringing all sides to the table to provide solutions for Clinton County will always be a priority. Every city, village and crossroad community in Clinton County has a brighter future.

“Companies are expanding, jobs are being created and people are going back to work,” added Steed. “My primary focus will be to enhance our opportunities and leverage our assets towards greater achievement in Clinton County. Thank you for your trust and confidence.”

After the outcome was clear, Feldmeyer said he wanted to thank everyone who worked so hard “in a cause we all knew was going to be a steep uphill climb. We ran a campaign we can be proud of and I can think of nothing that we might have done that we did not do.

“So, thanks to everyone who gave so generously of their money, their time, their energy, and their trust in me,” added Feldmeyer. “And further, I want to congratulate Kerry Steed on his victory, and I look forward to working with our commissioners and Clinton County Community Action to see to it that our senior citizens and our children are cared for with the very best we have to offer.”

A businessman who owns Generations Pizzeria in Wilmington, Steed, 46, described himself for the News Journal candidate questionnaire this fall as “a budgetary expert able to balance budget every year in office.”

The Republican incumbent also stated in the candidate questionnaire: “Our county is in the best financial position in years, our employers around the county have more jobs than they can fill, the waiting lists for seniors services have vanished, and we are on the cusp of creating the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Fund [with hospital funds] that will enhance the health, safety, and welfare of our youth, families, and senior citizens for decades to come.”

On a possibility of re-instating a 0.5 percent supplemental county sales tax that rolled off at the end of September, Steed stated in his News Journal candidate profile: “Taxes are like tools. They should only be used when needed. If, in the future, the Board of Commissioners determines the need for additional revenue, re-instituting the ½ percent sales tax could be one tool available for our use.”

This was Feldmeyer’s first campaign for elected government office in Clinton County. The senior pastor for the Wilmington United Methodist Church, the 65-year-old Democrat’s background includes 11 years on the board of trustees at Clinton County Community Action and serving on the Mayor’s Economic Taskforce after the loss of more than 8,100 jobs based at the Wilmington Air Park in 2008-09.

Come January 2017, the three-person Board of Clinton County Commissioners will be comprised of Steed, Patrick Haley and newcomer Brenda K. Woods. Woods, who ran unopposed in Tuesday’s General Election, received 13,629 complimentary votes.

She won the Republican Primary election in March for a commissioner seat, besting four other GOP candidates interested in succeeding Clinton County Commissioner Mike Curry, who did not seek re-election.

In Sabina, a five-year, 0.5 percent earnings tax for general municipal operations was defeated, 482 votes (55 percent) to 394 votes (45 percent). The ballot issue was asking residents to approve a proposed earnings tax for a five-year term that would make the town’s total earnings tax amount to 1.5 percent, as there is a 1 percent earnings tax already in place.

The added 0.5 percent tax was estimated to generate about $130,000 to $135,000 annually, Mayor Dean Hawk said earlier this year.

The money would have gone toward the village’s police, administrative, legislative and executive costs for five years “to give us a chance to recover from the loss of funding of this weakened economic cycle,” the mayor said previously.

In a countywide decision on Tuesday’s ballots, voters approved a 1.5-mills property tax renewal to provide senior citizen services or facilities, 13,413 votes (76 percent) for to 4,237 votes (24 percent) against.

And the Mental Health Recovery Services of Warren & Clinton Counties’ 1-mill property tax renewal for current expenses was supported in Clinton County, 12,316 votes (70 percent) in favor to 5,218 votes (29.8 percent) opposed. As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, the voting percentages were similar in Warren County, according to John Cummings, director of communications for Mental Health Recovery Services of Warren & Clinton Counties.

The organization is very thankful to the voters of Clinton County for helping it on this ballot issue, said Cummings. He added it is a real honor in serving the residents of Clinton County, and providing strong mental health and addiction services for those who need them and they look forward to continuing that.

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.

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Steed
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_Kerry-Steed.jpgSteed

Former Blanchester Mayor and Wilmington Police Chief Tom White, center, enjoys a lunch with Mary Reynolds, right, and Doris Cooper at Blanchester Grace UMC’s Election Day Dinner and Bazaar.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_DSC_0544-1.jpgFormer Blanchester Mayor and Wilmington Police Chief Tom White, center, enjoys a lunch with Mary Reynolds, right, and Doris Cooper at Blanchester Grace UMC’s Election Day Dinner and Bazaar. John Hamilton | News Journal

Beverly and Karey Williams made it a family luncheon at the Blanchester Grace United Methodist Church after they voted Tuesday. Voters and locals could come in and enjoy soup, chili, pulled pork sandwiches and much more for both lunch and dinner.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_DSC_0546-1.jpgBeverly and Karey Williams made it a family luncheon at the Blanchester Grace United Methodist Church after they voted Tuesday. Voters and locals could come in and enjoy soup, chili, pulled pork sandwiches and much more for both lunch and dinner. John Hamilton | News Journal

Woods
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_Brenda-Woods.jpgWoods John Hamilton | News Journal
Sabina tax issue defeated

By Gary Huffenberger

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