4 Republican candidates for Butler County commission share why they want your vote

CINDY CARPENTER

Age: 55

Residence: Oxford Twp.

Political experience: Young Republicans (1972); GOP Central and Executive committees since 1994; Butler County Clerk of Courts (1994 to 2010); involved with several local, regional and statewide campaigns; Ohio Tax Payer Protection Committee; and served on several boards, panels and committees in Butler County and statewide

Occupation: Butler County Commissioner, business administrator of Barker Ornaments, commercial and residential real estate property manager

Education: Attended Miami University; Southwestern Ohio College of Business; has taken several continuing education courses

Community involvement: Among other activities around the county and region, member of the Butler County Initiative to Reduce Infant Mortality, Butler County Opiate Abuse Task Force and Butler County Housing and Homeless Coalition; member of Queen of Peace Church; involved with Ohio Coalition for the Education of Handicapped Children, Ohio Solidarity Initiative, and Habitat for Humanity

JULIE HOLMES

Age: 46

Residence: Madison Twp.

Political experience: Worked on Don Dixon for Commissioner campaign in the 1980s; volunteered for former Sheriff Don Gabbard. Appointed by Gov. John Kasich in 2013 to serve on the Commercial Dog Breeders Advisory Board; worked with Ohio Legislators and County Commissioners Association of Ohio, Ohio Auditors Association on Ohio Animal Legislation, and Dangerous Dog Law; former Butler County dog warden

Community involvement: Member at Freedom House Church of God, active parent and assistant with Boy Scout Troop 29; continued supporter and volunteer at the Animal Friends Humane Society; presenter on animal care and control and humane education to schools and other community organizations

Education: Attended Miami University and Maricopa Community College, Arizona

CHRISTINE MATACIC

Age: 62

Residence: Liberty Twp.

Political experience: Liberty Twp. trustee since 2002; served on the Butler County Republican Party on the Executive and Central committees, and a regional chair; involved with local, state and national campaigns; Liberty Twp. Parks committee, and involved with several local, state and national candidates with their campaigns

Occupation: Liberty Twp. trustee

Education: University of Cincinnati, Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration (majors in Administrative Management and Personnel Administration)

Community involvement: Among other activities, member or board member of several area organizations, including West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance, Butler County Township Association, Butler County Regional Transit Authority and Hamilton Rotary

GEORGE NAFZIGER

Age: 64

Residence: West Chester Twp.

Education: Miami University, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and MBA in Management; The Union Institute, Ph.D. in History

Occupation: Author and Publisher

Political Experience: Competed for the appointment to State Representative of the Ohio 52nd House District in 2011

Community Involvement: Hope Evangelical Free Church, VFW 7696, Kids Against Hunger, and Hands Against Hunger

This May, a sitting county commissioner, a local military history author, a Liberty Twp. trustee and a former county dog warden will compete for the Republican nomination for Butler County Commission.

Cindy Carpenter will try to retain her seat on the commission against George Nafziger, Christine Matacic and Julie Holmes.

Below are responses from each of the candidates to questions asked by the Journal-News.

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Q: In your opinion, what should be the role of a Butler County commissioner?

Cindy Carpenter: "The three-member Board of Commissioners is the principal governing body of Butler County government. By statute the Commissioners hold title to all county property, serve as the taxing authority for the county and control county purchasing. In addition, the Commissioners are the budgeting and appropriations authority for the entire county government, hold hearings and rule on annexations, approve drainage improvements, establish water and sewer districts and provide for solid waste disposal. As elected officials, they control the administration of the following departments: Job and Family Services, Water and Sewer, Finance, Children's Services, Airport, Records Center, Economic and Community Development, Child Support, Purchasing, Facilities, Administration, Information Services and Human Resources. The Children's Services and Elderly Services tax levies are the two levies directly administered by the Commissioners. Besides serving themselves on a wide variety of boards such as the Records Commission and Workforce Investment Board, they also have the responsibility to appoint members of the public to serve on the county's numerous boards and commissions."

Julie Holmes: "Butler County Commissioners should be representatives of needs and interests of the residents of Butler County."

Christine Matacic: "A Butler County commissioner is like the CEO of a company, except that each commissioner must work with the other two commissioners to set the vision for Butler County. Success, professionalism and results begin at the top, and each commissioner has a profound impact on the effectiveness and efficiencies in all county departments.

A county commissioner is a commissioner 24 hours a day. Every action an elected official takes reflects on the office to which he or she is elected. A County Commissioner must always be responsible in every activity and be conscious how it will affect others.”

George Nafziger: "The county commissioner has several roles. The first is to manage the county's budget, to ensure that the tax dollars provided by the citizens of Butler County are wisely spent; that every possible benefit is squeezed from every penny given to the county for necessary services before another penny is requested from the taxpayers.

The commissioners are also the voices of county government and represent the county’s citizens in contacts with Butler County’s various communities, neighboring counties, the state, etc.

They are also … the leadership of the county. This is generally done through the budget and procurement processes, but it is also done by example and maturity. True leadership is something I learned on the factory floor as a foreman and during my 24 years of commissioned service in the Navy. It is through leadership that the commissioners should provide oversight and guidance for all operations of county government.

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Q: For the first time in years, the county is now operating with a surplus. What would you do to either keep spending at its current levels, or even reduce it?

Carpenter: "During my first term of office, the Board of County Commissioners has successfully reorganized every Commissioner governed department. High expectations have been established and they are being achieved. Better and more efficient management has resulted in the shrinking of county government. We have fewer buildings, less operational costs and a smaller workforce. Technology is being utilized to its fullest potential while public safety remains a priority. The Commissioner's office has moved out of the era of "business as usual" into an era focused on providing essential services and delivering them well. The public can be assured that we will continue to hold the line on spending while working to increase the efficiency of operations."

Holmes: "I believe that a more comprehensive look should be made into the operating budgets of the County and see where the savings are actually coming from and how to continue to be good stewards of the money of the taxpayers."

Matacic: "Some elected officeholders think that getting elected and attending meetings is good enough. Good enough just is not good enough any longer.

There are many good business practices that would help Butler County minimize the level of deficit spending we encountered in recent years and increase the county’s surplus. They would include:

Nafziger: "From what I have seen in the commissioner meetings, it appears that once the annual budget is prepared, it's not used as a plan to guide the county's expenditures for the fiscal year. I would expect it to be a limit on expenditures that would be rigorously enforced, but it is not. It is the regular practice of the commissioners to approve new expenditures that were not part of the original budget, without asking for off-setting reductions in expenditures elsewhere in the budget, or identifying new sources of income to cover those new expenditures. The practice of "Then and Now" contracts also has a negative impact on the budget since in the two years I've been studying the county's budget, they have not had a clean closing of the books at the end of the fiscal year."

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Q: What measures would you support to prevent deficit spending from happening again?

Carpenter: "There has been no deficit spending during my term of office. I and my fellow Commissioners recently passed the 2014 budget, which was structurally balanced. During my first two years in office, we worked hard and ended each year with a balanced budget. By my third year in office, our budgeting strategies led to the buildup of over $4 million dollars in excess funds. I am proud to be a member of this conservative Board of Commissioners. We have maintained the discipline to pass balanced budgets, build cash reserves and pay down debt. The county's current financial status proves that we can prevent deficit spending by coming up with a good financial plan and sticking to it."

Holmes: "I would like to see measures in place that hold Department heads and other public officials personally and professionally responsible."

Matacic: "In addition to the above, it is important to have an ongoing citizens/business volunteer committee to review on a quarterly basis finances/levies and make recommendations to the commission. This would give additional oversight and opportunities for new ideas. Furthermore, as commissioner, I would work with other commissioners and departments to identify their needs. Department heads should not be dictated to – they should be respected as professionals. Using fear and intimidation is a practice that will end."

Nafziger: "From my 37 years of experience in business and industry, the most important tool for managing money is the budget. It determines how money is to be spent, where it is to be spent, and how much is to be spent. If the budget is well-developed, if it is used to control how monies are spent, it is the key to ensuring that the county doesn't get into financial trouble.

I’d insist that the budget be enforced as something that is not to be exceeded except in the case of a true emergency. If something comes up that requires an unanticipated expenditure, my first approach would be to see where a corresponding reduction could be made; failing that, I’d see if another source (not tax increases) can be identified to deal with the emergency. I would establish a serious program of using the rainy-day fund for true emergencies and when funds are taken out, reducing the next fiscal year’s budget to refill what was taken from it for the current emergency.”

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Q: Under what circumstance would you support, or call for, any type of tax increase?

Carpenter: "I do not support any tax increases."

Holmes: "I would only support a tax increase with the approval of the residents of the County and only after all other avenues have been exhausted."

Matacic: "People are taxed too much. It is the responsibility of county commissioners to exhibit restraint and create an atmosphere friendly to families and employers.

Before any agency would be permitted to request an increase, a complete financial analysis of the income and expenses for the past as well as a projection of the future would need to be completed. This would give a better picture of the situation. We should also evaluate if a program’s or initiative’s life span has run its course or if Butler County residents’ priorities have changed.”

Nafziger: "I believe that our county government is more than adequately funded and that no tax increase is necessary under any circumstances. With the proper management of the monies received at this time, there will be no need to raise taxes, and I would oppose any such effort. I believe that the simple implementation of a central procurement department that will oversee all procurements, impose simple money management procedures, and establish a single individual responsible for the oversight of all procurements will save the county significant sums. This single individual would be charged with ensuring that contracts are placed in a timely manner and will ensure that the benefits of competitive bidding are achieved."

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Q: Butler County Children Services is undergoing a departmental overhaul. What changes need to be made with Children Services, and what can you do to ensure the appropriate changes are implemented and followed?

Carpenter: "I am currently serving as the Commissioner's representative on the Children's Services leadership team that is charged with overhauling the agency. A series of fact finding sessions are underway so that the team can meet the May target date for presenting a reorganization plan to the Board of Commissioners. Ideas have already been generated from the first meeting that occurred with non-county agencies that support families in crisis. Suggestions such as the need for increased collaboration and coordination were made. Additional meetings are scheduled with key stakeholders including law enforcement, courts, members of the 2007 Children's Services Task Force, faith-based organizations, and foster families. When this process is completed, a comprehensive plan will be developed and adopted by the Board of Commissioners, whose number one priority is to protect children and support families."

Holmes: "Once again, I would like to see more accountability of Department heads and public officials both personally and professionally. It is also imperative for the Board of Commissioners to be engaged with Departments. A good way to do this would be monthly reporting and sit down staff meetings."

Matacic: "Butler County's ombudsman provided a grim assessment of Children Services in recent comments to the commissioners. People of Butler County have a reasonable expectation that Butler County children will be protected if they must ever enter the Children Services system.

When bad things happen, we should be open about it and provide as much information as is allowable. Sunshine is the best disinfectant. Privacy for children does not equal secrecy for an organization. Children Services is an area that requires checks and balances due to the sensitive nature of the business at hand.”

Nafziger: "It appears the principal problem is the oversight of children placed in the custody of support services that are not located in Butler County. This makes any form of supervision very difficult. My first desire would be to place any child in the custody of family members with incentives and support necessary to make this happen.

There are three other possible options: 1.) Increase the travel budget to permit Butler County staff to visit and ensure the safety of children placed outside of the county; 2.) Make it financially attractive for such service providers to locate within Butler County (including, but not limited to providing unused buildings or property for the location of such facilities); or 3.) Establish a county-operated facility within Butler County. All three require more money, but there are grants and other resources that one might be able to redirect to address this.

Let me say that these are just raw ideas that require significant investigation and evaluation before any serious proposal can be made. They are a starting point.”

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Q: Many of the independently elected countywide office-holders seemingly do not communicate well with each other. Regardless if this is just a perception, reality or a mix of the two, how do you plan to work with the other county office holders, repair any communication problems and operate a cohesive county government?

Carpenter: "The Ohio Revised Code establishes duties for each elected official, but unfortunately sometimes the lines are blurred. The perception that office-holders are not communicating could more accurately be described as differences of opinion. This Board of Commissioners has effectively communicated the importance of sharing resources and streamlining operations. Although the Commissioners hold the purse strings, it has been our ability to keep the lines of communication open with other county offices that has allowed us to implement cost saving projects and come in under budget. A few examples are the county-wide support offered by the Commissioner's IT and Centralized Purchasing Departments. The Memorandum of Understanding for the $330 million Liberty Town Center project was negotiated, in part, by the Prosecutor's office on behalf of the Commissioners. The Auditor's new financial management system is being implemented in collaboration with the Commissioner's Finance Department. Bottom line, the ability of our office holders to communicate has led to the effective management of Butler County government."

Holmes: "I believe that keeping departments engaged with each other in the meetings that I outlined above would be a good way to start opening communication with the public and each other. Open council meeting with not just the Commissioners but the Public would give each other and the public an open forum to resolve their issues."

Matacic: "I was elected President of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments; one of my key strengths was communication. Fear and intimidation lead to an atmosphere of mistrust and silence. This will end when I am elected commissioner.

In my position as a Liberty Township trustee, I have had the opportunity to know and work with many of the office holders on various projects that include contracting for services with the Sheriff; budget/tax forecasting with the Auditor; and infrastructure improvements with the Engineer, to name a few. It is very important that we all meet on a regular basis in order to find ways to coordinate, communicate and collaborate without intimidation. This encourages a ‘team’ approach to problem solving and a better working environment for all.”

Nafziger: "As a retired Navy captain and during my five command tours, I occasionally had to deal with independent organizations over which I had no control. Leadership by example and a mature approach to issues is the first step. Unfortunately, when personalities, personal interests, or deeply held convictions are involved, healing riffs is a very difficult process. It is my experience that periodic staff meetings are a good mechanism for building teams and mending relationships. Such meetings demonstrate that there are common interests that can be efficiently addressed to mutual benefit of the various parties is the second step and will, hopefully, overcome this communication problem."

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Q: What would you do to improve the communication among the other county office holders?

Carpenter: "A lack of communication can be caused by an underlying problem that hasn't been resolved. The Commissioners spend a great deal of time with the office holders during our budget meetings. The hearings are informal and office holders are invited to say whatever is on their minds. We set this time aside to listen to the needs of our office holders. When unresolved problems are brought to the forefront, it is our intention to immediately address them in a responsible manner. Each time the Commissioners and office holders work together to solve a problem an opportunity exists to build trust and gain a better understanding of each other's responsibilities. My door is always open to any office holder, employee or constituent."

Holmes: (see above)

Matacic: "It is important to conduct business in a professional and respectful nature. Open honest discussions and working together without the 'got you' approach yields better results and a better atmosphere in which to work and accomplish goals. This has been my approach in Liberty Township and would be my approach as a Butler County commissioner. As commissioner, my door will always be open to other elected office holders — at all levels."

Nafziger: "As it stands now, the various elected officials are distributed to several different locations and, therefore, are isolated from each other. The simple holding of a periodic staff meeting where all office holders get together and discuss common or unique problems would be the first step. My experience in the corporate world, as well as in the Navy, have clearly demonstrated the value of periodic staff meetings. It is my experience in such staff meetings, where everyone sits at a common table, face-to-face, and has an opportunity to address common problems will go a long way towards building a team spirit and a willingness towards cooperation directed to improved service to the county's citizens."

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Q: Is the Butler County Commission office operating in the most efficient way? If so, explain why, and if not, give two or three ways it can operate more efficiently.

Carpenter: "The members of this Board of Commissioners bring a variety of perspectives and experiences to the table, which is paying off for our taxpayers. However, each Commissioner grew up in Butler County with parents who operated family businesses and we all have learned some of the same lessons. I often heard my mother say that if you can run a business you can do anything. I saw first-hand that hard work pays off and the value of giving back to the community. This Commission is unquestionably doing what it takes to operate the office at a high level while continuing to build in efficiencies. We have proven that the adopted pay plan is saving $5.8 million, establishing a food stamp fraud unit has saved $5.4 million, better managing our facilities has saved $500,000, reducing the waste disposal fee by 50 percent and the department's operational costs has saved $450,000, forming a public defender program has saved $491,000, and properly managing the parking garage has increased the revenue by $100,000. We look just as closely to save $20 in staples as we do to save millions of dollars in fraud. This Commission's commitment to Butler County is making a difference."

Holmes: "I believe that there is always room for improvement in the county, through sharing of resources. The improvement of relationships and mutual cooperation with our cities and villages. I would like for the County to look for ways to use renewable energy in our County to power our facilities."

Matacic: "There is a reason I am running for county commissioner, and there is a reason that I am seeking this particular seat. As I have said before, 'good enough' just is not good enough any more. Hiding meetings from other commissioners, seeking to replace good employees with hand-picked cronies, threatening county employees with their lives, and interfering with department heads are unacceptable and must change.

Since I do not currently work in the office I can only go off news articles and what others say. What I can comment on is the perception that it appears there is no ‘team’ approach.

In order to improve upon the atmosphere and efficiencies of the office, I would operate similarly to how I have worked in Liberty Twp.”

Nafziger: "I have no direct exposure to the internal functioning of the commissioners' office that allows me to address this issue. However, if there are problems with its efficiency, they surely arise from the fact that there is no one individual responsible for giving direction to the office because there are three equal commissioners.

I would advocate an agreement between the three commissioners where the President or other member of the commission is given the responsibility and authority to manage the office, on a unilateral basis. If funds are required, then it should be handled in the normal manner in the bi-weekly commission meetings. When more than one person controls, then nobody controls. Conflicting direction from people of equal authority always produces inefficiencies. I am a firm believer that where possible, a single responsible individual is always a superior method of management of a particular function.”

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Q: Given Butler County’s recent bad political history with some countywide office holders, its reputation has been cast in a negative light. What can be done to improve Butler County’s reputation?

Carpenter: "Butler County has an excellent reputation; it is home to Miami University and several quality institutions of higher education, ample shopping, affordable housing, quality healthcare including the nationally recognized Cincinnati Children's Hospital, cultural events and historical sites, business opportunities and outstanding communities. It is a great place to live and raise a family. I am proud to be a life-long resident of Butler County.

“In recent years, different factions have fought to have more power within the Butler County Republican party. This political infighting is what has cast us in a negative light. Our newly elected Executive Committee Chairman, Todd Hall, is laying the foundation for unity within the Republican Party. His commitment was undeniable with his recent remarks to the county office holders, ‘I look forward to helping rebuild the party. It takes time and willingness of everyone to be involved and share in expectations. Nothing negative from the past will give us a foundation for unity in our future. This goal must start with each of us, focusing on an end result for all of us. Success in unity is never found at the end of a pointing finger. It must rely on open, hardworking hands to strengthen, create, and thrive in any crisis we face.’ Once again, the Party’s reputation has been tarnished, not Butler County’s.”

Holmes: "I would like to see all elected officials held to a level of respect and ethics between each other. Working together and putting egos and personal agendas aside is the only way we are going to rebuild and move forward in this County. We are neighbors, not advisories. All elected officials take an oath of office to SERVE the people of their counties … this includes other elected officials."

Matacic: "The first thing that must happen is that professional leadership must be brought to this seat.

The reputation of Butler County was not earned overnight and will not be solved with the wave of a magic wand. If we want to insure a better reputation, it starts with running the county similar to a business and looking at our employees and CEO’s in a similar manner. Voters are our bosses, and we must never forget that. If I am elected to represent Butler County, I would bring a professional approach in evaluating the facts before rendering any decision. I would encourage regular evaluation of all contracts in an open process. I would work as a member of the team with the other two commissioners as well as other elected officials within Butler County, the region, the state and the nation to encourage coordination, communication, and collaboration.”

Nafziger: "Bad reputations are hard to repair. The first step is to look at what permitted the actions that have hurt Butler County's reputation and make sure that those actions can never be repeated without them being caught and fixed before the problem becomes serious. Strict control over the expenditures by means of a central procurement office, where the people making the procurement decisions have no interest in where the contract is placed, concerned that any procurement is only placed in the best interest of the county's taxpayers, is a first step.

A hiring program where all jobs are posted and advertised and where no elected official’s family members will be considered for any position within the county government is a second step.

The county has just instituted a new performance review process. I am very impressed by this new system developed by Mr. Greg Sheets and believe that it will be an effective tool for dealing with personnel issues and should be a key tool in dismissal or reassignment issues.”

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Q: Give two to three ideas you’d advocate for that could grow jobs in Butler County.

Carpenter: "I intend to continue with the successful work I have done as a Commissioner to grow jobs in Butler County. I serve as a member of the Workforce One Investment Board. The board sets the vision, policy direction and performance expectations for Ohio's regional workforce development system. Thanks to the re-organizational efforts of the Commissioners, our county's workforce development program, Ohio Means Jobs, has been transformed into a model program for the State of Ohio. Butler County was recently honored to have Governor Kasich travel to Middletown to sign two bills into law that encourage business, industry and support job creation. Butler County's Ohio Means Jobs program is partnering with the business community and economic development initiatives to produce results. Butler County's team has built workforce partnerships with the local Chambers of Commerce, Butler Tech, Cincinnati State and others. In the past year, Butler County's Ohio Means Jobs program posted 560 job positions, facilitated 97 hiring events, and served over 2,000 job seekers. New employers like Steiner with the Liberty Town Center project and the proposed Middletown NTE Energy plant will be bringing thousands of jobs to Butler County. With the partnerships, training programs and resources of Butler County's Ohio Means Jobs, we are poised to retain those permanent jobs by matching the employment needs of the new businesses with the skill sets of our jobs seekers. Jobs strengthen families and build better communities."

Holmes: "1. Tax incentives for developers and companies that RENEW aging or vacant properties; 2. Development and Implementation of "Green" options for County operations and facilities; 3. Would like to see development of department that would seek out and procure government and community grants and monies to be utilized in not only bringing in businesses and jobs to Butler County, but revitalizing communities and small businesses."

Matacic: "Jobs are vitally important to the success of Butler County. We have great potential, but until we begin to harness the talents and resources and utilize them in a coordinated fashion, we will have a distinct disadvantage in attracting and retaining businesses. Some of our local communities do a great job with this and I would advocate that we:

Nafziger: "I have watched industrial jobs leaving Butler County for over 30 years now. I have even had my own job of 20 years disappear, the factory torn down, and my pension and medical benefits vanish. I have been on unemployment and spent 10 years working at part-time jobs. I know the importance of jobs to Butler County's unemployed because I have most definitely walked in their shoes.

When the commissioners eliminated the community development organization, they ate their seed corn. New business will not come to Butler County without an individual or group that has as its fundamental task seeking out and bringing in new businesses.

My first target group is the beverage business. We sit on the Miami Aquifer, the second-largest source of underground water in the U.S. Miller Brewing came here because of that. We didn’t go to Miller, they found us. Why aren’t other beverage companies here? I fully intend to go to them and sell Butler County’s water to them.

My second target is the gun industry. We have our very own steel mill here and guns are made of steel. That means new business to AK Steel. We also have hundreds of machine shops around the area who are logical subcontractors to a gun manufacturer.

My third step is to talk to the major industries in Butler County, and working with them to identify their principal customers or customers they would like to have. I would then visit those companies and show them the advantages of moving to Butler County.”