Candidate Guide - Washington Township Trustee - Wm. James Fisher

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.

Education: Wilmington College, B.S. Agriculture

Current employment: Warren County Engineers Office

Office Sought: Washington Township Trustee

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

Having grown up in this area my whole life and being a permanent resident for the past 35 years plus, the common theme for most residents is to have a safe and rural community. My conservative and proactive ideas while working with past/present trustees, The Washington Township Road Supervisor, county and state offices, and the general public have helped to maintain consistent values while adjusting to population growth within the township. These attributes I feel make me well suited for this position.

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

To be a reliable voice and means of help for all township residents

Maintaining safe and affordable Fire/EMS services

Promoting safe and well maintained roads/streets

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

I will continue to have an open door policy of hearing all comments and concerns from all residents/constituents either one on one or through our public meetings. I will continue to promote for top notch Fire/EMS services for our township while continuing to promote the current property tax rollback to fund these services. Having safe and well maintained roads is critical to having a desirable community. It is something that residents and visitors always point township roads while keeping in contact with state and county officials for their maintained sections.

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?

NOTE: He is an incumbent.

I have been a Washington Township Trustee since 2018. There are several accomplishments that we as a board have tackled and been successful with to make Washington Township maintain its excellent status. One in particular that stands out to me is how we as a township were able to re-construct/re-pave the largest subdivision within our jurisdiction by taking advantage of grants that paid for a significant portion of the project.

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

The qualifications that make well suited for this position include my education as well as my current position of working for the Warren County Engineers Office. The county engineers office is one of the most involved agencies in daily government within a township. My knowledge helps promote an efficient means of solving any particular problem or issue.

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

Property taxes are out of control. What I want residents to realize most is that I pay the same property taxes as everyone else. Though I believe that taxes are inevitable, I feel that there needs to be a complete overhaul of how property taxes are calculated at the state level. Since being a trustee I have expressed this to local representatives and senators. As a trustee I feel it is extremely important to maintain conservative values and keep property taxes at its current state or lower any way possible.

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 excellent relationship with all officials at each level.

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

Are you running as a slate or as a team with any of the other candidates? Not required.

I am running unopposed.

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