Jim Dvorak, Candace Loyd and Anita Blue Marlowe are competing in the Nov. 6 general election to fill the seat of current Geauga County Commissioner Walter “Skip” Claypool, who lost his re-election bid in the May GOP primary.
Dvorak unseated Claypool in the Republican primary, winning 54 percent of the vote to Claypool’s 46 percent. Marlowe ran unopposed in the May Democratic Party primary while Marlowe, a Libertarian Party candidate, announced her candidacy for Geauga County Commissioner in July.
The winner will be sworn in for a four-year term commencing on Jan. 1, 2019, and will be paid an annual salary of $61,215.
Dvorak, 64, is a resident of Burton Township, where he has served as a township trustee for 10 years. He is a real estate agent with CENTURY 21 Homestar.
A high school graduate, Dvorak completed four years of trade school and took college courses at Kent State University.
He and his wife, Luanne, have four grown children and three grandchildren.
His campaign website is www.Dvorak4Commissioners.com.
Loyd, 37, of Munson Township, is a research scientist for Case Western Reserve University and a mother of three.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cleveland State University.
Her campaign website is www.CandaceLoyd.com.
Marlowe, 69, is a Village of Middlefield resident. A retired registered nurse, she earned her Baccalaureate of Nursing, Master’s of Public Health, Master’s of Nursing Genetics and Family Nurse Practitioner degrees from the University of Washington.
Her campaign website is www.marloweforgeauga.com.
1) Why are you running for Geauga County Commissioner?
DVORAK
I am running for county commissioner to ensure residents get the most value for their tax dollar. I understand and will work hard to preserve the Geauga way of life.
LOYD
Geauga County needs a fiscally responsible, accountable and transparent government. I have that ability to do the job effectively, efficiently and with integrity.
MARLOWE
I want to use my 34 years working in health care to benefit all Geauga residents. I believe it is vital that the people of Geauga have health care and access to social services if they have the need.
I want to insure that a repetition of the fraud and embezzlement that occurred under the last auditor does not ever happen again.
I want to recruit businesses into the county that will provide full-time positions and that come with a livable wage and full benefits. I want those jobs to not pollute the environment or contaminate our waters.
In order to do this, we must have high-speed Internet services to all areas in the county.
I want to insure steading slow growth that maintains our many beautiful parks and natural resources.
2) What professional experience do you have that is relevant to the office you seek?
DVORAK
I have been a Burton Township Trustee for 10 years and past president of the Geauga County Township Association for six years. I have been a part of many boards and committees in the county for a very long time.
LOYD
In my experience, I have managed a research lab, which includes utilizing various grants and other monies effectively.
I trained and educated personnel and students as well as collaborated with colleagues abroad; and maintained a database containing confidential/ sensitive information.
All these qualities are essential for the commissioners’ position.
MARLOWE
As an RN, I worked with children, mothers and families. I have extensive knowledge of addiction and treatment. I know what works and what doesn’t.
I have advanced degrees in health care and have worked in research and teaching, and I know how important facts are to the decision-making process.
I did work as the treasurer of my HOA and know how to manage a budget.
3) What are specific goals you have to serve the citizens of Geauga County?
DVORAK
I will be able to create a climate of collaboration and communication throughout the county and will be working on strategies for the future.
LOYD
I would strongly advocate for Geauga County to receive more funding from NOACA for additional road and buggy lane paving and improvement projects. Additionally, by reducing property tax, people on a fixed income can afford to stay in the county, and younger people can afford to move into the county.
MARLOWE
My goals include expanding high-speed Internet services throughout the county in order to attract technology-based businesses.
I support social services in this county, including Senior Services, Job and Family Services, Next Step and Ravenwood Mental Health.
I want to establish a long-term recovery facility, possibly in the previous County Home, with the money that supported that facility.
I want to institute mechanisms of oversight that would prevent a repeat of the embezzlement that occurred under the previous auditor.
4) Do you believe Geauga County’s interests would be best served by consolidating its offices into a single new complex? Why or why not? If yes, would you support relocating a new county office complex outside the City of Chardon?
DVORAK
Most, if not all, of the county buildings need some kind of maintenance or repairs. Some are worse than others. Under the Ohio Revised Code, some county authorities must have their offices in the county seat (City of Chardon). I would follow the laws of the State of Ohio.
At this time, all of the findings and recommendations of the feasibility study have not been released.
LOYD
I think it would best serve the county to relocate the county offices in a single, new complex within the county seat.
The current buildings are old and require costly repairs. Also, some buildings are historic and cannot be altered as needed. Relocating the offices would increase productivity between departments.
Additionally, citizens would benefit from “one-stop shopping” convenience. However, determining costs to consolidate offices is still in progress and when elected I would have to evaluate these costs against the benefits it would provide.
MARLOWE
I think more information is necessary to evaluate the best solution to this question.
We need to know the cost of staying in the current multiple locations versus the cost of consolidating within the city limits of Chardon or moving to another location entirely.
We need to know what the citizens of the county would support.
I think that eventually consolidating is the most cost effective and efficient solution to the current situation, and I think it could be a boon to the economy.
5) What do you consider to be the major issues affecting the residents and/or businesses of Geauga County and how would you address them?
DVORAK
I would work with groups like Geauga Growth Partnership to understand employer’s needs and goals for the betterment of Geauga County. I will obtain input from residents on their needs in the county as well.
LOYD
Major issues affecting citizens are high property taxes, unfunded mandates and zoning regulations affecting the ability to attract businesses.
I propose to reduce the county portion of the property taxes by reducing excessive budgets; and to work with legislators to push back on unfunded mandates that are negatively affecting our citizens.
The planning commission, of which the commissioners are a part of, can work with trustees to get areas rezoned to what businesses, citizens in those townships and cities want.
MARLOWE
We need to increase our population and our job opportunities to attract workers to our county. We have had no growth in population in the last 10 years and we have an aging population. This is an unsustainable situation.
We need to access the needs of our younger residents to determine what would make them stay or return to Geauga for the future.
6) What role does/should the Board of County Commissioners play in budget appropriations process, both with respect to departments under its hiring authority and other county offices such as the courts?
DVORAK
The commissioners should go into all budget hearings with an open mind and listen to the needs of that department or authority.
Funds would be appropriated to the best of my ability to assure that we utilize the funds in the most efficient manner.
LOYD
With respect to the departments and budget appropriations, the commissioners must be in close contact with the directors of the departments. The yearly budget is evaluated and needs assessed at the hearings and specified instances throughout the year to determine allocation.
MARLOWE
The county commissioners are responsible for reviewing and approving budgets for their own departments and for other county offices; however, the courts can appeal any change the commissioners choose to make to their budget. They have control only of hiring within the departments under the county commissioners. They can request to audit other departments’ books and request that the state auditor examine departments’ books.
7) What role should the Board of County Commissioners play in uncovering/preventing corruption at the county level?
DVORAK
Uncovering and preventing corruption is everyone’s duty to guard against. A county commissioner should work collaboratively with the state auditor, follow recommendations and encourage safeguarding against risky practices and procedures.
LOYD
Having transparency through detailed accurate data from all departments along with clear communication plays a large part in preventing corruption.
Having additional policy to prevent fraud in place would curtail dishonest activities. Also, by having a fiscally conservative government and reducing spending, there will be less opportunity for corruption to happen in the first place.
MARLOWE
The county commissioners should be held responsible to review the ongoing budgets of all departments to prevent a reoccurrence of the embezzlement that occurred under the last auditor. Clearly, mechanisms must be in place to prevent this from happening again and it is one of the major reasons I am running for county commissioner.
8) What role does/should the Board of County Commissioners have over the management of county departments? Describe your management style? What role should commissioners have over the day-to-day operations of county departments?
DVORAK
I will work hand in hand with the county Administrator and all departments and authorities to ensure team building. Day-to-day operations should be effectively delegated. My management style is calm, effective, persistent and productive.
LOYD
The county commissioners are the hiring authority for such departments as transit, emergency services, water resources, maintenance, archives and dog warden. They are able to appoint a director to these departments and those directors oversee the day-to-day operations. My management style would be fair and to follow the Ohio Revised Code regarding personnel.
MARLOWE
My management style is that of a born negotiator and compromiser. Commissioners are ultimately responsible for the day-to-day operations of county departments, but I believe most civil servants at the county are very well qualified and competent.
It is the commissioners’ responsibility to hire equally qualified candidates as heads of departments and to take the advice of department staff into consideration. Political patronage is to be avoided at all costs in appointments made.
9) How would you work with state and federal officials to ensure Geauga County receives its share of state and federal funds, including grants?
DVORAK
I will gather the information of all grants offered. I will build relationships to benefit Geauga County every day so that Geauga County will be in a better position to receive funds.
LOYD
The commissioners work with state legislatures on what grants are available when need is communicated. Departments such as JFS seek the approval of the commissioners to apply for available grants. The commissioners then select grants deemed appropriate.
MARLOWE
I would approach state and federal officials with well-researched evidence of our need for our share of state and federal funds. I have experience in applying for grants and can seek out grants particularly for the opioid epidemic.
10) What analysis would you undertake to determine whether Geauga County or any county department should accept or reject grant dollars? Explain.
DVORAK
Grants should be carefully looked at. Understand that some grants have attachments. We should accept grants that benefit Geauga County the most.
LOYD
The commissioners have to take each grant into consideration when accepting grants. Investigation would have to include how much matching the county would also have to provide and what restrictions or conditions were attached to said grants. These conditions need to be weighed against what the grant would provide on a case-by-case basis.
MARLOWE
I would research the expectations attached to the acceptance or rejection of grant money and discuss those with other commissioners and involved parties.
11) As a Geauga County Commissioner would you support requiring county departments to submit financial information and data to the OhioCheckbook.com initiative?
DVORAK
Currently, all Geauga County departments and authorities submit their data to the OhioCheckbook.com program through the county auditor’s office. I endorse the program and would encourage its continued enhancement for transparency.
LOYD
I am aware the county departments are now using the OhioCheckbook.com. I support the requirement for continued use of this tool to provide transparency and accountability, and to require departments submit data that is detailed and accurate.
MARLOWE
Yes, I would insist that all departments submit financial information and data to the OhioCheckbook.com.
12) What is you position on county tax rates and levies? Do you believe Geauga County should increase or decrease its portion of residential and business property taxes and why?
DVORAK
No one likes paying taxes. Taxes are paid to support the needs of residents and the community. The issue of the county tax rate and levies is complicated and cannot be adequately addressed in a sound bite. Additionally, the commissioners have limited control over the total property tax amount.
LOYD
The county portion of the property tax should be reduced. With the property tax reductions, I will also work toward a corresponding reduction in spending. The majority of county funding comes from sales tax and other sources. By reducing the property tax, we will attract businesses and residents to the county as well as help our farmers.
MARLOWE
With research into the necessity of increasing or decreasing taxes, I would develop a rational to support that position and report to the voters to decide on the appropriate action. I believe in transparency in decision-making.
