Note: Letters to the editor re local elections are welcome, from candidates and supporters. Will be printed in the order they are received. All must be received by November 3 and none will be published after November 6. Be sure to vote on November 8.
Letter to the editor:
I’m running for Taylor Mill City Commissioner. I have been married to my wife Christy for 10 years and we have three young children. In my humble opinion, Taylor Mill is the best area to raise our children. We have a small town vibe yet access to a wide range of businesses, opportunities and most importantly, growth. I enjoy running and cycling thru Taylor Mill and competing in the races/triathlons. I currently manage a successful 3D scanning/Reverse Engineering firm in Ohio called Exact Metrology
I am running because it is time for a new voice and a clear vision. The current commission has been in long enough, with very little progress regarding development issues. The zoning language in the Districts of Taylor Mill (DTM1 through DTM4) along Pride Parkway must be fixed, specifically the “no setbacks” and taking corners into consideration. Changing the language will encourage developers to come to our beloved city.
I believe we have to work with our emergency response teams by attracting and retaining top talent. For years we have been a training ground, Taylor Mill deserves better. We must become a destination for top talent and make sure our pay scale is in line with surrounding cities.
It is time to talk with existing business owners about what their needs are and how we can better assist them. Communication is a two-way street. As city commissioners we need to make sure we are reaching out to both businesses and residents for constant improvements.
I would like to make a few comments about the commission meeting held on Oct. 12th.
First is the reverse course of the tax rate increase. This is the first time many Taylor Mill residents can remember that our tax rates will not be going up. On the surface this seems like a win for everyone. This was a total reactive and timed move because the current commissioners are up for election and this time have competition from Sarah, Phil, and myself. Park Fest was cancelled, our response teams are under paid, and streets are being patch fixed to cover up the true problems yet all of a sudden decided not to raise the taxes. This was a 100% reactive (call it a panic) move to win a few more votes before the election. Now that the tax rate will be unchanged we must rely heavily on additional developers to promote and develop the available areas around our city. This in turn will increase the revenue taken in by our city hopefully offset any budget issues the current commissioners have created doing the reverse course of the tax rate.
Second was the contact information given out at the end of the meeting. Sarah Frietch, Phil Peace and myself have been walking the neighborhoods willing giving out our contact information and meeting privately with concerned residents. Again our current commissioners reacted to the situation, this could have been readily available years prior. Our city government must be transparent. Send an empty postcard with genetic info on it doesn’t cut it. On our city website we need mayor and commissioners contact information, financial information, and special meeting date/time announcements. This will allow our residents to have a greater understanding of where we stand financially and have a line of communication to the elected officials. A perfect example of transparency in government is last week Ft. Wright updated their website with the top 10 expenses broken down from the past year.
Last was the surprise of Gary Holland attending a meeting for the first time. I found it surprising that he himself would speak about staying the course and seeing the current vision thru. The issue I have with this is everything Mr. Holland has been able to do in our city is because the “current vision” had to be modified and adapted to fit his needs. Case in point is the lack of a bank on the corner of 16 and Holland Drive. The reason he got the permit for the trifecta building was because it called for a bank in the drawings which would have been what the “current vision” calls for, a wall of buildings lining the road. Next, Mr. Holland promised he would move into the trifecta building, sadly we have heard this before for the last two years. I found it discouraging that not a single current commissioner or our mayor pushed Mr. Holland for a final move in date when give a public opportunity to do so. This is an engagement that has gone on for 2 years but the other party (our current commissioner and mayor) refuse to get the answers when finally given the opportunity.
I’m running because the current commission has brought us this far but it is time for the vision to be cleaned up and followed thru. We are at a crossroads in our city. Do we let one developer continue to get all the breaks with very little in return. Just looking at the surrounding cities and how much development has happened in the last 4 years should be a wakeup call to Taylor Mill. We have prime property available but developers are not willing to come here. Why? Perhaps, the current commissioners make it difficult and work against them. These are the tough questions to ask and I am ready to step up and get some answers. The Taylor Mill community deserves better.
I have the best interest of our community at heart. I want to make this the safest place to live and watch it grow to its greatest potential. I am smart, fiscally conservative, open, and willing to listen. With work, communication and drive, we can do this. I respectfully ask for your support and vote on Nov. 8th
Matthew Martin
Taylor Mill