Kathy Adams for UA Council - Pencilstorm Interview

There are seven candidates running for four seats on Upper Arlington City Council.  Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters.  Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually throughout September and reposting all their answers together before the election. School Board candidates will appear in October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our fourth candidate, Kathy Adams, is featured below.

Kathy Adams, Upper Arlington City Council Candidate

Kathy Adams
https://kathyadamsforua.com/

What makes you qualified to have oversight of the $72 million city budget?
I work as a lawyer for the state of Ohio in the finance section of my office, where I represent clients with much larger budgets than the Upper Arlington city budget. I have worked for the state for over 15 years, and public service is so important to me that it is what I have chosen for my career.

I work on large construction projects and energy conservation performance contracts for my state clients, and I understand the financial implications of the decisions of public officials. I am a fiscal watchdog of state taxpayer funds, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

What steps do we need to take so that the new community center is the best it can be for all Upper Arlington citizens?
Continued communication and engagement with residents is key. I was supportive of the community center, and I did a lot of canvassing work in support of the community center ballot issue. I thought the city did a good job of communicating and engaging with residents for the ballot issue, and residents had a lot of great ideas. We need to continue that process as the project is developed.

I would like to see engagement with seniors, because I want to advocate for our seniors and I think there are so many opportunities for the community center to provide not just a space for social contact and programming for seniors, but also intergenerational opportunities and innovative health care options. Similar to the ballot initiative, the city should use different forms of communication for resident input, including information on the website, mail, information sessions, and meetings with community groups.

I have asked about the sustainability aspects of the project, and I understand the city will be pursuing LEED certification. We should engage in Eco-Charrettes (project stakeholder brainstorms) to develop community buy-in to sustainable design and operation of the community center. This is an amazing opportunity to create a space that merges sustainability and wellness, with innovative ideas. To this end, we should explore LEED certification and WELL certification.

Residents have expressed concerns about the cost of the community center, so the city should be very transparent about costs and any overruns. I review architect, consultant, and construction contracts for my job, so I will be interested to learn about the terms of those agreements.

Much work has been done over the past two decades to improve the financial well-being of our city. What are the next steps we need to take for our parks and pools as we continually improve?
I learned from the city horticulturist that Upper Arlington has over 160,000 square feet of gardens, including rain gardens at Sunny 95 park that are among the largest in central Ohio. I would love to explore more rain gardens and other sustainable uses of our park space. I attended a recent event at the Westover Park Butterfly Garden, and I would like to encourage more pollinator gardens.

I want to explore bioswales and permeable pavement and other ideas at our parks. I believe we can improve on the sustainability of our park spaces without having a negative impact on the financial well-being of our city.

Our pools are very popular, including with my own family. Given the recent renovation projects at Tremont Pool and Devon Pool, I would not anticipate major capital improvement projects in the near future. It would be nice to explore salt water pools instead of chlorine, but this may not be a realistic option.

Overall I think it is important to properly maintain our parks and pools, since they are important amenities that draw people to live here and stay here. I would be looking for innovative ways to recruit more lifeguards and find a way to potentially address the heating issue at Reed Road water park if it is still an issue.

Central Ohio is the fastest growing area in the state and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projects we’ll have 3 million residents by the year 2050. What are two things Upper Arlington needs to do to maintain its position as one of the best places to live in Central Ohio? 
Upper Arlington has very little commercial space, and we need to be very strategic about how it is developed in order to attract new residents and be sustainable. We can leverage public-private partnerships, innovative solutions in conjunction with The Ohio State University, and explore business incubators and other creative ideas. I think there is a lot of opportunity to develop an Upper Arlington community brand that creates excitement. Forward thinking sustainability initiatives are just one example of a way to generate excitement.

I want to support local businesses to add character to our community, including women owned businesses. We should support restaurants and community socialization by bringing ideas like DORA (designated outdoor refreshment areas) to UA faster.

Housing is another major issue I am hoping to continue to work on. Accessible housing is a necessary part of a sustainable community. This involves a multi-faceted approach, since housing is such a nuanced issue.

Here’s a fun question. We’re all musicians here at Pencilstorm and are excited about the return to live music. What band or performer are you most excited about seeing live again?
Before COVID I enjoyed the free summer concert series downtown and in Upper Arlington, so even more than one performer I miss seeing free live music in downtown Columbus and in UA- with campaigning and canvassing, I didn’t have time to go to any concerts this summer! I love community events, and supporting the arts. I am most excited to see MojoFlo and Amber Knicole doing aerial performances!

Pencilstorm would like to thank Kathy Adams for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Kathy at her website: https://kathyadamsforua.com/. Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

 Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.

 

Andrej Rotter for UA Council - Pencilstorm Interview

There are seven candidates running for four seats on Upper Arlington City Council.  Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters.  Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually throughout September and reposting all their answers together before the election. School Board candidates will appear in October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our third candidate, Andrej Rotter, is featured below.

Andrej Rotter, Upper Arlington City Council Candidate

Andrej Rotter
www.voterotter.com

What makes you qualified to have oversight of the $72 million city budget?
During my 40 years as a university scientist/educator, I managed an active research program with a budget of several million dollars. I was also the chairman of a National Institutes of Mental Health research grant committee which prioritized funding of millions of dollars for research in brain disorders including schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and depression. Fortunately, no single person has control over city expenditures. Oversight of UA funds is conducted by all City Councilors and city staff led by the Finance Director.

What steps do we need to take so that the new community center is the best it can be for all Upper Arlington citizens?
Planning for the new community center should include a wide range of input by residents representing the different segments of Upper Arlington’s population, including those who were opposed to its construction. The planning committee should examine similar centers in equivalent communities and make recommendations based on their findings. The planning process should be transparent, and the community should be informed frequently of its progress.

Much work has been done over the past two decades to improve the financial well-being of our city. What are the next steps we need to take for our parks and pools as we continually improve?
Our parks and pools are highly appreciated assets treasured by all residents. They contribute substantially to the sense of physical and psychological well being of our community. Continuing financial support for the improvement and maintenance of parks and pools is therefore of utmost importance. The Parks and Recreation department should, in addition to its current activities, engage in an aggressive fundraising campaign in support of the city’s recreational infrastructure.

Central Ohio is the fastest growing area in the state and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projects we’ll have 3 million residents by the year 2050. What are two things Upper Arlington needs to do to maintain its position as one of the best places to live in Central Ohio? 
The two priorities are interrelated. The first priority is to create and maintain a sustainable community by improving access to renewable energy, creating and maintaining our green space, improving our recycling capability, and increased bike and pedestrian access to shopping, schools and medical facilities. The second priority is to maintain the residential character of the city by preventing UA from becoming a throughway for traffic traveling from Columbus to outlying suburbs. This could be achieved, in part, by limiting road capacity by lane reduction, speed restrictions and construction of traffic calming road features. 

Our chances of maintaining UA as ‘one of the best places to live’ would be improved by strengthening zoning regulations and making it more difficult to grant zoning variances. This should be undertaken with extended involvement with residents directly affected by new buildings and road modifications.

Here’s a fun question. We’re all musicians here at Pencilstorm and are excited about the return to live music. What band or performer are you most excited about seeing live again?
My greatest wish would be to see Pink Floyd again. Alas, they "faded" away in 1994 after "The Division Bell" tour (with a stop at the ‘Shoe’) and Barrett and Wright are no longer with us. However, Roger Waters, the lead behind "The Dark Side of the Moon", will be touring again and I hope to make it to his performance in Cincinnati in August 2022!

Pencilstorm would like to thank Andrej Rotter for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Andrej at his website: www.voterotter.com.  Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

 Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.

 

Michele Hoyle for UA Council - Pencilstorm Interview

There are seven candidates running for four seats on Upper Arlington City Council.  Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters.  Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually throughout September and reposting all their answers together before the election. School Board candidates will appear in October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our second candidate, Michele Montavon Hoyle, is featured below.

Michele Montavon Hoyle, Upper Arlington City Council Candidate

Michele Montavon Hoyle
www.Hoyle4UA.com

What makes you qualified to have oversight of the $72 million city budget?
My over thirty years’ experience preparing and reviewing  municipal budgets and working with all aspects of city finances make me uniquely qualified among all the candidates to provide the leadership needed to guide our city’s operating budget as well as our substantial and growing capital improvements program and bond portfolio.

What steps do we need to take so that the new community center is the best it can be for all Upper Arlington citizens?
The most important steps moving forward are those that continue the community’s involvement and engagement in the design of both the physical facility and the programs that will be offered.  The footprint will create some challenges that will be best met by ongoing communication between our residents and the professionals who will translate those conversations into the best possible facility to meet the needs of all members of the community.

Much work has been done over the past two decades to improve the financial well-being of our city. What are the next steps we need to take for our parks and pools as we continually improve?
We have invested and continue to invest in our city parks and pools, as our recreation facilities are highly prized by our residents and a high priority to me and all members of the current City Council.  The many demands placed on our relatively limited park space require careful management of the turf and proactive maintenance of the facilities at all of our parks and pools.  I personally would like us to provide more amenities like year-round restrooms to encourage use all year.  I’d also like to look at creative ways to staff our pools (like older adult lifeguards – who needs David Hasselhoff?) to extend the outdoor swimming season.

Central Ohio is the fastest growing area in the state and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projects we’ll have 3 million residents by the year 2050. What are two things Upper Arlington needs to do to maintain its position as one of the best places to live in Central Ohio? 
Greater connectivity and walkability, and access to alternative forms of transportation. As Upper Arlington redevelops, we are seeing higher density developments that have exposed potential issues with traffic and parking in several areas of the city.  With these concerns comes heightened interest in transportation alternatives to personal vehicles, and in improved walkability and connectivity throughout UA and to other parts of our expanding metro area. To address connectivity and walkability,  this City Council has added funding to encourage neighborhood-initiated sidewalk projects and has incorporated connections to schools and parks in our capital improvements program.  A recent survey of seniors in our community also has indicated a need for transportation alternatives when driving is no longer an option.  Collectively these pressures will require work with our existing mass transit provider, COTA, to look at current routes to determine if other options provide better service, along with ways to extend the current network using  closed loop circulators and/or smaller or alternative vehicles.

Here’s a fun question. We’re all musicians here at Pencilstorm and are excited about the return to live music. What band or performer are you most excited about seeing live again?
I am an eclectic music lover, so I look forward to live music in general.  I love musical theater and will see “Dear Evan Hanson” , “Hadestown” and “Hamilton” (for the third time) as soon as local tours come to Columbus.  I also love the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and can’t wait to hear Byron Stripling play his trumpet and Bobby Floyd on the B3!

Pencilstorm would like to thank Michele Montavon Hoyle for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Michele at her website: www.Hoyle4UA.com.  Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

 Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.

 

Jim Lynch for UA Council - Pencilstorm Interview

There are seven candidates running for four seats on Upper Arlington City Council.  Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters.  Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually throughout September and reposting all their answers together before the election. School Board candidates will appear in October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our first candidate, Jim Lynch, is featured below.

Jim Lynch, Upper Arlington City Council Candidate

Jim Lynch
www.Lynch4UA.com

What makes you qualified to have oversight of the $72 million city budget?
As a current member of UA City Council and from my previous experience as a senior staff member of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, I have a solid understanding of public sector fiscal policy. As a member of council, I have continually monitored the city’s budget and spending priorities to ensure that we keep our community on a strong financial footing. I am proud to report that Upper Arlington’s budget has never been stronger and the nation’s leading bond-rating agencies recently reconfirmed Upper Arlington’s AAA rating. On council, I championed an independent performance audit of city operations and helped create a citizens task force to help us develop a blueprint for staying fiscally strong. Ensuring fiscal stability requires continued diligence and if re-elected I’ll continue to vote against unnecessary city spending.

What steps do we need to take so that the new community center is the best it can be for all Upper Arlington citizens?
Overwhelming support for the ballot issue to construct a community center was driven by a transparent, citizen-led effort that required extensive communications with the public.  As a member of council, I will continue working to ensure that our city government is effectively engaging the community over the next several years as we design, construct and operate this facility. Just as important, with the construction and operation of our new community center we will need to keep a sharp eye on the city’s budget and spending priorities to maintain Upper Arlington’s solid financial footing.

Much work has been done over the past two decades to improve the financial well-being of our city. What are the next steps we need to take for our parks and pools as we continually improve?
The City of Upper Arlington recently completed a comprehensive review of our park system, and those findings are providing a blueprint for needed improvements over the next 10 years. We can’t be afraid to spend funds to preserve these assets, but that must be done in a fiscally responsible way. As a member of council, I have been proud to support this important work and help launch the necessary improvements to these vital recreational assets that are so strongly supported by our community.

Central Ohio is the fastest growing area in the state and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projects we’ll have 3 million residents by the year 2050. What are two things Upper Arlington needs to do to maintain its position as one of the best places to live in Central Ohio? 
Job creators and potential new residents are attracted to communities that foster a culture of inclusiveness and value high-quality educational opportunities. Make no mistake, while Upper Arlington is a great community to work, live and raise a family, we still must compete with other communities for new residents and businesses.  That’s why we have worked hard and need to continue efforts to improve city infrastructure and services, polish up our parks and other community assets, and upgrade our school buildings.  Fortunately, our community took a major step forward in keeping us competitive by approving a new community center at Kingsdale.  This new facility will strengthen the fabric of our community by bringing people together.   

We also need to continue our efforts to become more welcoming and inclusive. As a member of council, I am proud to have helped champion the creation of a Community Relations Committee with diverse members to help ensure that we are doing all we can to make sure Upper Arlington is known as a welcoming place for all new residents.

Here’s a fun question. We’re all musicians here at Pencilstorm and are excited about the return to live music. What band or performer are you most excited about seeing live again?
I’ve long been a sucker for live music, so after 18 months of living through a pandemic, I won’t be picky, but I love that band Watershed. Anyone remember that? They’re awesome.

Pencilstorm would like to thank Jim Lynch for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Jim at his website: www.Lynch4UA.com.  Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee.