Editor’s Note: All answers have been unedited.
(Mayor, Uncontested)
Heather McArty: I know that the popular answer would be to say that people are Oakwood’s greatest asset although in reality, that is only partially true. There is no question that great schools, nice parks, profitable businesses, locally based police, fire and ambulance services, various church options, social organizations and events all play an invaluable part of what makes Oakwood a truly great place to live. However, it is only when people are listened to, collaborated with and empowered that their real strength is revealed and they become an asset. Every business owner, employee and resident of Oakwood has the potential to be our greatest asset and they will find that I will always be an accessible and supportive accomplice in any mutual endeavor that encourages an environment for our community to thrive.
Trustee (Vote for 3, listed alphabetically):
RICHARD BOGESS: Whew, well all I have is my new interest in my community and my willingness to learn. Oh and my incredible ability to type one-handed (don’t be jealous). Well, I hope there are no typos remember I’m doing this one-handed!
CATHI CANNON FRITZ: Pride in our history and hope in our future. My husband and I now live on Oakwood Street in the house my great grandparents built in 1918. I want to do everything that I can to continue the village slogan & my family history; generations of pride. We are here to stay.
JASON ELLIOT: The residents of Oakwood are by far the greatest asset to the Oakwood community. We have lifetime residents that were raised in Oakwood and now are raising or have raised their family. We have residents like myself that came here over 20 years ago and decided to call it home for my family. It’s also a popular landing spot for residents that are looking to move from surrounding areas. Residents don’t stay or come because of Casey’s, Pilot, Love’s, Dollar General or McDonald’s. We stay because we have a community bond full of family, friends and neighbors that form the place that we call home. As I have stated before, I will work hard to achieve a larger scale of involvement in our community decisions made by our leaders. Knowledge is power… This will make us a stronger community and give us the opportunity to be better than we already are. I am proud of our community and it will be an honor to have the opportunity to serve Oakwood as a Trustee.
DOUG HANNER: Did Not Answer
TERRY HUME: One of our biggest assets is our access the interstate and having rout 150 going thru town.
Ambulance Service, Police Department and Fire Department right here in town. We also have a great public works department that keeps or road repaired and snow cleared.
We have 2 parks and Grade School in town that has a lot of area for the kids to play at. There is part of the rails to trails done going through town and heading east out of town about 2 miles.
We have a great School system with the grade School in Town.
MITCH LEVERENZ: Being an Interstate Community, we are capturing a lot of sales tax dollars from interstate travel which helps ease the burden of the Oakwood Community. We are one of a few communities that does not levy a Village tax due to the growth of businesses in our community. In the time I have served on the board the Village Board assisted in removing the blight of two old truck stops, while attracting 3 new truck stops at the interstate and other new businesses to our downtown area in recent years.
DAVID LEWIS:
Most folks in our village grew up here, many of us graduated here. We aren’t an HOA, we aren’t a suburb, we should never attempt to be a St. Joe or Urbana. I graduated with your kids. My kids are growing up with your children and grandchildren.
I am both accessible and a champion for those that aren’t able to advocate for themselves and will fight to make sure that your voices are heard.
If we feel that are built on generations of pride, as our Village sign says, we need to appreciate this and acknowledge those that went before us. Sorry that we had a generation of leadership that nit-picks your lawn – See this Village ordinance if you are surprised that you cannot have a single weed greater than 5 inches – https://www.ecode360.com/31424952?highlight=inches&searchId=3196928517537733
BOB PARR : I think that our Village employee’s,Streets,Office Staff, Police,Treasurer, And Emergency Rescue are our greatest asset.Also the fact that the Village has no debt is a great benefit.Our village park,and the activities that both baseball and football volunteers offer to our youth is amazing.Over the last 8 yrs we have been able to up grade the baseball fields,storage facilities,and kitchen equipment. I would hope to be able to continue the 4th of July parade,and the fireworks.
ROBERT WRIGHT: Oakwood has several assets. It’s difficult to list only one. Oakwood’s greatest asset is the interstate. Currently the village does not have a village tax. Instead the village derives most of the revenue from sales and motor fuel taxes. That is mostly paid for by travelers stopping by for food, gas, and other items. Many small towns have taken advantage of this revenue stream across the country to help residents keep property taxes reduced. We can do more. Right behind the interstate is the Kickapoo and Middlefork state parks that draw in travelers and is currently upgrading facilities to attract more visitors. These people will need food, gas, lodging, basic items, etc. also and will further add to Oakwood’s revenue. Third is Oakwood’s rural roads and existing infrastructure. Many small towns have small two-lane roads and gravel roads that begin within a quarter mile of the village. Oakwood has a state highway and mostly paved roads a half mile or more not just entering/exiting the village but paralleling the interstate and state highway. Some other towns that enjoy these assets, save the state park, are St. Joseph, Ogden, Tuscola, Gibson City, and Covington, IN. However, these towns have utilized these assets to grow their base revenue with businesses not being right on the interstate. Helping business develop in the surrounding area will also help local citizens find work closer to home and save on travel costs to Danville, Champaign/Urbana, and elsewhere. By increasing our revenue and job opportunities, the village can do more for residents in a far greater capacity over the next ten to fifteen years.
