Ohio LWV Voters Guide 2020

ELECTION 2020 VOTERS GUIDE November 2020 11 Ohio House District 43 Vote for 1 The 43rd District covers the suburban area in the central and western parts of Montgomery County including the cities of Brookville, the majority of Trotwood, Farmersville, New Lebanon as well as portions of Clayton and Dayton. The townships of Jackson, Perry and most of Harrison Township are also in this district. * indicates incumbent QUESTION #1: In what ways would you change our election system in order to be prepared for crises that impair the right of all citizens to vote? QUESTION #2: What legislation would you support concerning local policing policies and practices? AMY COX (D) BIO: Amy Cox has a BS in Biology and a Master Degree in Science Education. Amy has worked in public schools in the area since 2003.Amy taught in both urban and rural districts, is married to a Union Ironworker and has 2 sons. ANSWER #1: The miscommunication and constant changes made to our elections are creating division on how we should vote, especially now. Vote by mail is the only way to ensure everyone gets the chance to vote. People who want to vote in-person, regardless of the risk or circumstances should have the option as well. We have ensure that voting-by-mail is a safe and secure option for people while keeping vote-in-person available as well. ANSWER #2: I would support any legislation that is based on proven best practices for education and training. De escalation training is needed along with more research and partnerships with colleges and universities to help unpack the root causes and effects of relations with police with respect to the communities they serve. RODNEY CREECH (R) No response Montgomery County Commissioner Vote for 1 Term Beginning 1/2/21 Responsibilities of the County Commission are to exercise financial control of County expenditures; to authorize public works; to purchase land and buildings; to let contracts; to plan and administer welfare. The Board of County Commissioners also appoints other officials to operate various departments. * indicates incumbent QUESTION #1: If elected, what initiative will be your top priority for the next four years? QUESTION #2: What can the county commissioners do to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis? JUDY DODGE* (D) BIO: Judy Dodge was raised in Dayton, and graduated from Wright State University. Judy was first elected County Commissioner in November 2006. She received Ohio Food Policy Network’s 2018 ‘Local Food Hero’ Award for advocacy in creating healthy local food systems. ANSWER #1: I hope to continue my work to promote the Montgomery County Food Equity Coalition Plan aimed at increasing the availability of healthy, affordable, local food, while also decreasing food insecurity and food waste. One of my biggest concerns, are the changes that have occurred in the grocery store industry during the past decade.We need to continue to ensure that all of us can access the food we need to be healthy and productive. ANSWER #2: The county commissioners responded quickly to the loss of tax revenue during the COVID-19 crisis by cutting nearly $30 million from the county budget.The county is also dispersing $92 million from the U.S.Treasury as part of the CARES Act. We are dedicated to ensuring that the funding is promptly and fairly dispersed to individuals, as well as the small businesses, nonprofits, education, heath care and farming industries severely impacted by the pandemic. ARLENE SETZER (R) BIO: 8 years State Representative, Chair Education Committee, 8 years Mayor of Vandalia,18 yearsVandalia City Council,33 years Business Teacher, Vandalia Buter High School, Master’s Degree from Wright State, Business Administration Bachelor’s Degree from UD, graduated Fairview High School. ANSWER #1: There are serious problems at our Children’s Services Office with the death of Takoda I am committed to fix this. Thank goodness a citizen’s group, Takoda’s Call, demanded answers to this tragedy, because our county leadership has allowed child abuse and neglect cases to be hidden in a shroud of secrecy. The bottom line is we failed a little boy. There can be no more excuses. ANSWER #2: Although we are all impacted by the effects of COVID-19, our businesses have struggled immensely. We’ve learned our businesses are financially fragile. County Commissioners should ensure our businesses have their access to all state and federal dollars in an informed and timely manner. Clearly our commissioners have failed to develop these critical relationships when for example Good Samaritan Hospital only provides a one-hour notice of its closing, a devasting blow to our community. Montgomery County Commissioner Vote for 1 Term Beginning 1/3/21 Responsibilities of the County Commission are to exercise financial control of County expenditures; to authorize public works; to purchase land and buildings; to let contracts; to plan and administer welfare.The Board of County Commissioners also appoints other officials to operate various departments. * indicates incumbent QUESTION #1: If elected, what initiative will be your top priority for the next four years? QUESTION #2: What can the county commissioners do to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis? DEBORAH A. (DEBBIE) LIEBERMAN* (D) BIO: Debbie attended Dayton Law School. She served on the Clayton Council and has been a Montgomery County Commissioner since 2004. Debbie focuses on workforce and economic development, poverty elimination, infant mortality, improving Early Childhood learning outcomes and social justice issues. ANSWER #1: Job creation, pandemic recovery, racial equity and economic justice. I have worked to bring ideas, resources and accountability to these issues. My continued leadership will lead to improvement in these areas. I have brought thousands of living wage jobs that support a family to the community and I continue to invest in people. I am establishing a new pilot program in 2020,“The Path Ahead”to help guide individuals and families from poverty to self-sufficiency. ANSWER #2: Making a safe,healthyenvironment to get past the pandemic. Our economy will not fully recover until we beat Covid-19. Everyone must follow all the health requirements. There will be a new job market. Many more people will work from home. We must take advantage of opportunities to train our workforce to be fully prepared to fill the post-pandemic jobs. My long-time work with the local and state workforce boards will be critical to our recovery. BOB MATTHEWS (R) BIO: Bob has lived in Montgomery County for 40+ years. He is married with 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Bob has worked for 30 years in Montgomery County (NCR, GM, DP&L). He served as a Miami Township trustee 3 years. ANSWER #1: My top initiative would be to review and strengthen the programs that meet the needs of the Montgomery county citizens, especially those that provide financial support and medical support to our low- income residents. Many existing programs do not meet those needs because as they are difficult to use, and slow to respond. I would use my extensive business experience to make these programs more efficient and effective. HHHHHHHH Montgomery County COUNTY RACES Information on candidates may also be found at VOTE411.org