Candidate Guide - Turtlecreek Township - Jonathan Sams

As you prepare to vote in this year's municipal elections, the Western Star compiled answers from candidates. Here are the responses as provided. All typos and grammar mistakes, if any, are in the original responses.

Headshot provided by candidate

Education:

Mr. Healthy High School, Defense Language Institute (Honors), Community College of the Airforce (Associates), University of the State of New York (B.A. - Literature and Persian Farsi), University of Cincinnati (B.B.A - Accounting - Summa Cum Laude); Emory University School of Law (Juris Doctorate)

Current employment: Sams Fischer, LLC

Office Sought: Turtlecreek Township Trustee

Why are you the best suited for this position? (150 words)

I love Warren County and Turtlecreek Township. Turtlecreek is in a unique period of growth. I have the education, experience and influence to provide guidance during this period. I have developed methods for including community in planning for the various geographic areas of our community. I have engaged in sound budgeting that has resulted in a debt free Turtlecreek Township. I have led our efforts to engage in economic development and have placed skilled people in Economic Development positions. I have led efforts to plan and advocate for positive transportation planning. I have worked hard to develop the trust and collegial working relationships with other jurisdictions and levels of government. I have set standards for and overseen the transition of our Fire/EMS from a volunteer department to a full-time, around the clock department. We have maintained roads to a high level and pursue transportation development and maintenance throughout the township.

What are your top three areas of focus for your position?

1. Community planning (including Transportation, Economic Development, and Land Use);

2. Safety Services (Providing high quality fire and EMS coverage);

3. Budgeting (Ensuring that we have a long-term, economically viable plan for providing the services of the township that honors the taxpayer.)

What specifically are you going to do for each of your top three topics? (200 words)

1. Community Planning -

a. Engage in Transportation Study with the County and other stake-holders to plan for transportation needs in Northern Warren County. This will set the plan for the next half-century for transportation and infrastructure;

b. Continue to engage the community, Regional Planning, and the County in developing and improving Area Plans;

c. I sit on OKI's Executive Board and represent Turtlecreek Township and the Warren County Township Association in advocating for regional transportation and Warren County transportation needs in the expenditure of Federal transportation funds;

d. Continue to advocate for safe and viable zoning, land use and property development standards to protect the township and its citizens;

e. Continue to pursue economic development opportunities such as Encore Park, Amazon, Miami Valley Racino, and others within our economic development corridor.

2. Safety Services - We have a relatively young group of firefighters/EMS who are invested in protection our community. It is incumbent that we invest in their training and development, hire experienced individuals in leadership to advance our personnel, assist the Chief and administration in setting standards, and provide long-term planning for the coverage of the township.

3. Budgeting - Continue to develop realistic budgets and operate within those budgets. Continue economic development efforts bringing in viable businesses that fit well within the township.

If you are an incumbent, what is your best accomplishment?

If you are a challenger, what do you think needs to change from the current situation?

Mr. Sams is an incumbent.

1. Involving the Community in long-term planning for our Township and creating transparency;

2. Proving leadership in long-term, debt free economic planning;

3. Advocating for the expansion of State Route 63;

4. Developing positive attitudes withing the township for economic development;

5. Showing leadership throughout the County for developing mutually beneficial partnerships with other jurisdictions;

6. Governing the transition of the Fire Department from volunteer to full-time employees.

What are your qualifications for this position? (150 words)

1. History of community service - United State Navy (Cryptologist and Linguist);

Aid to Congressman Bob McEwen;

Service on Many Non-profit and Community Boards;

2. Education - I have been uniquely educated to provide guidance to our township on economic, governmental and development matters;

3. Proven history of service as a Township Trustee;

4. Volunteered on Warren County Technical Rescue Team;

5. Staunch believer in transparency and accountability.

Property tax is one of the top issues for local residents. What are your thoughts on the current property tax issues? (150 words)

We should keep our taxes local rather than transferring authority for our money to Columbus. Warren County is already a significant net contributor to the State Budget. Locally approved property taxes are the best way to maintain local control. However, the drastic, automatic increases that result from revaluation every three years should be revised. Taxes should be determined by the community and be based on the actual cost of providing local services rather than providing windfalls based upon increases in property values.

State laws often impact our county and the funding of local project depends on the state budget. What is your relationship with the local state representatives and senator? (100 words)

I have an outstanding relationship with our local senator, senatorial candidates and state representatives. I have access to them and their cell phones. They have always taken my calls and initiate calls to me. When I advocate for our township, they bring wise and thoughtful action. These relationships have benefited Turtlecreek many times over in legislation and project development.

How have you been involved in the community outside of politics?

Yes. I sit on the Executive Board of OKI; I sit on the Warren County Area Progress Council; I am Chairman of the Board of Warren County Convention and Visitor's Bureau; I have sat on the Board for the Cincinnati Ballet; I served as a Trustee of Cincinnati Christian University; I was on the Board of Aruna Project (setting sexually enslaved women in India free); I am a member of Axis Christian Church in Mason, Ohio; I have been involved in Community Theater; I serve as counsel and provide pro bono work for the Warren County Foundation; I was recently awarded the Warren County George R. Hinkle Lifetime Achievement Award; I have brought all 4 of my children through the Warren County 4-H program; I served with the United States Navy as a cryptologist and Persian Farsi linguist and deployed to the Middle East on 4 deployments.

Are you running as a slate or as a team with any of the other candidates?

Incumbents Dan Jones, Spencer Cropper and I are all running. We are unopposed.

Is there anything else you want the voters to know about you?

It is the honor of my life to be able to serve and participate in the lives of my fellow Turtlecreek Township citizens. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.