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« Politicians 2009

Marie Cartwright

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Marie Cartwright's Photo

From:

Canfield Township, OH

Office Sought:

Canfield Township Trustee/nonpartisan

Marie's reasons for seeking office:

Since 2001 I've attended Canfield Township meetings, voiced my concerns and opinions. After participating in these sessions it is apparent that there needs to be more open communication with the residents, business owners, prospective business owners, and employees; accountability; fiscal responsibility, and better prioritization/follow-up of projects. Township assets must be administered professionally and competently. In these economic times the Township should be evaluating and re-evaluating the expenditure of its resources. For example: Several hundred thousand dollars have been spent on grading and installing a retention pond in the new Township Park, which provides no downstream impact for residents while many residents along Indian Run Creek have been forced to leave their homes several times this past year due to flooding issues. My active community involvement, as well as, my strong business and financial background have compelled me to seek the office of Canfield Township Trustee.

Marie's qualifications:

I spearheaded the referendum initiative for Ironwood Commons which benefited Canfield Township by bringing in seven new businesses including: Hampton Inn & Suites, Ruby Tuesday, Bob Evans; approximately 350 jobs, and tax revenues including over $160,000 in bed tax from 2005 to June 2008. Since January 2006 I've served as the Township representative to the Cardinal Joint Fire District (CJFD), which provides fire protection for Canfield Township and City. In 2006 as a member of the CJFD's Levy Committee I assisted in the development and passage of an Equipment Levy for the purpose of providing for the purchase, lease, care, maintenance and replacement of firefighting equipment and vehicles. With other business professionals I participated in the Canfield (Township) Land Use Planning Committee (CLUP) in 2008, unfortunately this working body was disbanded prior to finalizing an action plan. I spent almost 30 years working as an executive in the retail, mall development and marketing industry. Since 2001 I have been self-employed as a marketing consultant. Currently, I serve on the Board of Directors, First Place Financial Corp, and have been a Board member since 1991, including terms served with its predecessor.

Where Marie stands on the issues:

1. One of the major issues is the proposed construction of a new administration building for $1.2 million which would house two full-time Township employees and four elected officials. The actual cost could be more, since water and sewage lines need to be brought to the park property, the proposed site of the new building. This expenditure appears on the 2009 Budget Anticipated Appropriations. I have consistently voiced my opposition to spending the proposed $1.2 million on this structure, but would be open to reviewing other less expensive alternatives to providing an appropriate work environment. For example: The Messerly Road Township Garage was set back from the road and designed to accommodate expansion for additional offices (and this facility already has water and sewage). Plans for a much less expensive facility at that location encompassing new offices, a meeting room, storage area and work space for Township employees and elected officers has been presented, but disregarded. The Township resources must be managed with the current economic environment in mind. 2. Storm Water Management and Storm Water Drainage issues along Indian Run Creek remain a major issue. This area and its water problems have been discussed repeatedly since 1993 and, although the Phase V survey work has started, this situation could and should have been rectified much sooner. This would have alleviated the flooding that residents have dealt with on several occasions during the past year. I would support an upstream detention or retention pond on undeveloped property to economically facilitate storm water control. 3. Current business owners have stated to the CLUP committee that the Township doesn't provide a friendly environment in which to do business. For example: At the last Trustees meeting on September 15, the Board discussed the trial leaf pick-up program and suggested residents purchase the necessary paper bags from national retailers, outside of Canfield, instead of suggesting Do-Cut, a local tax paying Canfield Township business, which is adjacent to the leaf pick-up test area. It will be a priority to make businesses feel welcome in our community and to further develop business and commercial growth especially along Rt 224, from Rt 11 bypass to Tippecanoe, which is considered one of our major Business Corridors. I believe additional master-planned developments similar to Ironwood Commons and Westford would be beneficial to the Township.

Marie's priorities if elected:

To maintain the residential nature of our community-- to assist those areas of the Township that have drinking water and sewage issues by working closely with the county sanitary engineer's office, and to manage the Township's resources in a professional, logical and efficient manner, as well as maintaining our current infrastructures, roads, culverts, bridges, storm sewers, buildings and grounds.

Related Campaigns

Canfield Trustees (2009)