Republican candidate Peter Sehnert (left) and Democratic candidate Thomas Knopf participated in a Mayoral Forum at the University of Findlay.
In opening statements, Sehnert noted his years of service to the Findlay community as a police officer, while Knopf described the forum as a way for residents to learn more about two "political novices" who are vying for the city's office of mayor.
The first question posed regarded, naturally, flooding. Knopf said he wanted to be more proactive rather than reactive. Sehnert suggested forming a citizens group to address the issue.
Regarding recent and proposed developments, Sehnert said such development is a positive for Findlay and that numerous things contribute to controlling flooding, including no-till farming. Knopf said developing within the flood plain was not a good idea and that he would like to examine other areas to build economic developments.
Knopf said he has not yet met with business leaders, instead concentrating on residential areas. Sehnert said he has talked with technology groups, Realtors and downtown business in the city.
To bring more jobs to the area, Sehnert praised an aluminum product that might be relevant to the tank plant in Lima. Knopf said bringing new business to the city was a good idea but that he would support a downtown business development grant to retain downtown businesses and entice other businesses to take up shop there.
Both candidates seemed receptive to centralized locations for government agencies such as a health department. Knopf said it could improve services and save money, and Sehnert said it would increase communication between agencies and be convenient for citizens.
Sehnert said he has attended recent meetings regarding appropriations, water and sewer, and city council. Knopf said his out-of-town job responsibilities prevent him from attending daytime meetings in person but that he has been attending council meetings. He said he is keeping track of developments through the media.
Regarding estate tax, Knopf said the issue whether to abolish it should be brought before the voters. Sehnert said there are pros and cons to the estate tax and how it can help industry development.
Sehnert noted that there was a lot of housing in Findlay and suggested Habitat for Humanity would be an appropriate avenue to address housing needs. Sehnert also said there were several apartment complexes in the city and was unsure that there was a need for low-cost housing. Knopf said he could see from classified listings that there was plenty of housing available in the area, and that the market dictated prices. Knopf said he would like to see more low-income housing options.
Knopf said the creation of a port authority would have a good goal of attracting business but was cautious about how much development it would be tasked for bringing to Findlay. Sehnert said large cities have port authorities and that he is not convinced that Findlay has a need for one. Neither candidate was directly opposed to creating a port authority and both said he wanted more information on the proposal.
Sehnert said he was interested in providing entertainment for young people, which would still keep them out of trouble, but was unsure how the city could do so. Knopf said the city should have an interest in providing entertainment for young adults and students, noting that he knew Findlay to be a dull place in which to grow up. Knopf said it was worth it to look into having a building dedicated to a youth center.
Knopf is opposed to the Towne Center development proposal because it is within the flood plain. He said flooding issues should be solved before there is development in the flood plain. He also questioned whether there was an actual need for more retail in the city when there were already several retail areas and vacant downtown store fronts. He also was concerned that the library would not be able to raise enough funds to contribute to the proposal regarding its facility. Sehnert said there were many questions yet to be answered and wanted to hear from the developer and from the residents in the affected neighborhood. He also said he needed more information from engineers and surveyors.
Sehnert said HATS and private transportation were sufficiently meeting transportation needs in the city. Knopf said that while he recognized some people in the city may not have transportation and that providing public transportation might need further consideration, but emphasized possibilities for a trolley or other such public transportation that would bring people to the downtown area.
Regarding sidewalks, Knopf said the city should install sidewalks on people's properties since residents have to assume liability. He also supported putting a measure on the ballot. Sehnert said he supported current ordinance and would support diverting estate tax money toward installation if the estate tax remains.
Sehnert said he has conservative values and that taxes are the last thing he would look at raising. He said we all like the things that taxes pay for and that Findlay is noted for its low taxes, and any increases should go before the voters. Knopf said he too has conservative values regarding taxes and would not go into office with determinations to raise taxes. He said he would rather cut back programs or look for other savings.
Knopf said the city does not need a building code and that voters already had defeated it twice on the ballot. He said people were using flooding issues as a way to push the building code forward. Sehnert said there were pros and cons to having a building code and that more conversation needed to be had with residents regarding it. He said he would like to see it put before the voters again.
Sehnert said that having worked for the city before, he understands how communication can sometimes be strained. He said he would try to build trust among city entities. Knopf said he would sit down with each city department within his first 100 days in office and that he would maintain an open door policy to work with departments. He also said he would create a public forum for residents to tell the mayor's office what they would like to see happen in Findlay.
Regarding annexation and tiffs, Knopf said the city has grown for the sake of growing, and rather than looking to expand the city should revitalize what it already has. Sehnert said tiffs are good tools for bigger cities and should be Findlay's last resort and that they tie up tax resources. He said annexing brings in necessary tax dollars to provide services. He thinks annexation might not be his personal preference but that the larger community may desire growth.
Regarding administration staffing, Sehnert said he supported splitting the safety service director into two separate positions, although he is concentrating on winning the campaign before considering who he might tap for his administration. Knopf said he does have someone in mind for the service safety director position, a man who knows many people throughout the city and whom he considers a trustworthy source.
In closing statements, Sehnert said he may not have understood the oaths he took in the Marine Corps and the Findlay police depart at the time, but he grew to appreciate what it meant to have people depend on him. He said he was proud of the integrity of the Findlay community and that he is confident he can oversee a balanced budget and enhance governmental relations.
In closing statements, Knopf said he hoped the general public has gained more insight into each candidate. He said he hoped that even though there were differences in their positions that they could find common ground. He said he hoped that voters would come out on election day and vote for either of the mayoral candidates. Even if they did not choose him it was important to come out to the polls.
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