Why did you decide to run for Village of Oakwood Trustee/Mayor? Is there anything that prompted you to run at this time?

Editor’s Note: All answers are shown as submitted. A look at numbers and facts are noted in red.

(Mayor, Uncontested)

Heather McArty: The reason I am running for Mayor is to be a viable part of the decision-making process by appropriately and responsibly addressing the issues that impact the lives of Oakwood residents.  I am strongly influenced by the need to be of service to the community in which I live. My involvement over the years as a former board member and President of the Unit #76 School District and current Director and Board President of the Oakwood Area Food Pantry has given me an insightful perspective on the needs and the concerns of our citizens, as well as the challenges that our community faces. In the negatively charged political climate that we as a country have experienced recently along with the economic repercussions of COVID-19, it is understandable why some people are discouraged and are taking a step back from the problems that need to be dealt with. I feel called to do the opposite by stepping up and making a conscious effort to lead locally, with optimism in all that can be accomplished.

Trustee (Vote for 3, listed alphabetically):

RICHARD BOGESS: I’ve lived here since 1977 and not until the last 2yrs that I really aught to take in interest in things around me. I started attending board meetings with my wife and we found the process interesting. When I first moved here there was 2 little gas stations and the 2 truck stops and all I knew back then was “Man Oakwood must be huge!” and that I wasn’t allowed to cross 150. My mind as a kid would be blown if I could see how it grew.

CATHI CANNON FRITZ: I was born and raised in Oakwood. My husband and I moved back into my childhood home 2 years ago to be closer to my parents. I was always aware that the water quality was not the best but since the village sold the water/sewer system, the prices have skyrocketed. Residents received another notice from Utilities Inc. proposing an additional 30% rate increase on water usage charges. That would make Oakwood residents water usage rates nearly triple that of neighboring communities. If elected, I intend to do everything I can to advocate on behalf all residents regarding this and other relevant issues.       

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Editor’s Look: The Village of Oakwood sold the Village water system to Utilities Inc. eight years ago. In 2018 Utilities, Inc. customers’ rates were increased. Utilities Inc. customers recently received another letter stating water rates would be increased again.

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JASON ELLIOT: I was approached by a resident about running for the Trustee position. After reflecting on this conversation and having some discussions with others that I know who have served, I decided to throw my hat in the ring and go “All In” with this process. Being a resident of our community for over 20 years and calling Oakwood “Home” is very important to me. Having two children that have graduated from Oakwood and another currently at the Jr High level made me reflect on the roots that our family has planted here. The opportunity to invest more and serve the residents of Oakwood made my decision to run for the Trustee position simple. Being able to do my best to improve our community for my family and every resident of Oakwood generates a lot of excitement for me. Overall, Oakwood is my home! Oakwood is your home! Being able to be “Your Voice” is what prompted me to run at this time. 

DOUG HANNER: Did not answer this question

TERRY HUME: I have lived in this town most of my Life.  I started Volunteering for the Fire Department in the mid-1960. I have been Assistant Fire Chief,  Assistant Chief of ESDA (now EMA) , Part Time Police Officer for Oakwood Potomac and Fairmount. I have also worked for Oakwood Township on the roads, Worked in different factories as Tool & Die Maker/ machinist for over 30 years. I started the Oakwood Ambulance service for the Village in March 1978 and ran it for over 40 years. In doing so I have been at most of the Village Board meetings (but never as a board member so never had a say so on how things were done) which let me see how things work and what the board can and cannot do.  I believe this would help me be a good Trustee.

MITCH LEVERENZ: I have lived in Oakwood for 35 years and have raised my family in Oakwood. I have always felt it is important to be involved in serving your community.                                                                  

DAVID LEWIS: I have been interested in serving our community for many years, and was one of my primary reasons for moving back into my hometown and the house I graduated from almost two decades ago on South Harrison Street.
This past year of pandemic reaction presented many new challenges that many folks in our community were not ready for.
What prompted me to apply initially was when I heard about our community members being cited for ridiculous infractions during the midst of a heavy fog of quarantine. Full disclosure, I have been cited, then I started to talk to people and found out that the insensitivity of our community came from the top with our ordinances. The idea that citations would be issued in the middle of the pandemic seemed preposterous and at the rate they were issued, seemed unethical.

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(David Lewis continued): That’s when I vowed to act, and election season seemed a great time to start this discussion.
Our community members without jobs, our community members with an uncertain future, our community members with limited means to push back.
Now that the water rate increases are impacting all of us at a ridiculous rate, this bid for Trustee presents an area where I can provide leadership and advocacy for others and those that you have already trusted your board to represent.

BOB PARR : Enjoy being involved in the business of Oakwood. Since I am retired I have the time to give when others cannot be available. I think my past experiences in business and politics are a benefit.                             

ROBERT WRIGHT: To start, I want to say that I think the whole group of people running for the trustee positions are good choices.  I think the community will benefit no matter who gets elected.  It’s a tough choice this election.   As for me, the major reason I am running is because a handful of people in the community, not family, asked for my help as a trustee.  As a trustee at Muncie Baptist, board member and later president of the Catlin Summer baseball/softball league, or as a chairperson on the Salt Fork consolidation committee, I’m used to comprehending information and making decisions based on data.  I’m also used to taking on big ideas and working through the challenges.  I understand how government works, fiduciary responsibility, and public relations.  However, even though I have some experience in these areas it was not an easy yes for me since I have family members that work for the village.  We’ve always been a candid family, especially to each other, so we have an understanding.  In the end, the support of others that I should run won the decision.  The below will answer this to a greater degree, but I’m running for a trustee position to be helpful and vote for the initiatives that I think the community will benefit from based on sound information and a long-term plan of growth.