City left to decide on new mayor

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FAIRBORN — Two individuals are aiming to serve as the next mayor of the City of Fairborn. The elected individual will serve for two years. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

If they opt to make a run again for re-election, they can only do so twice and serve for a total of two terms or a maximum of four years.

Both candidates are familiar with the City of Fairborn, each calling it their home for a number of years with candidate Paul Keller currently serving as the city’s deputy mayor. Meanwhile, candidate Ethan Long said he has “knocked on doors” this election season and is “ready to deliver” on his political promises.

This newspaper sent each candidate questionnaires relating to their experience and what they see as the most important issue facing the city as election day draws nearer. The following candidates returned the questionnaires. These are their answers.

Paul Keller

Question 1 – Why are you the right candidate for this seat?

“During my term as councilman and deputy mayor I initiated the Strategic Planning that establishes goals and objectives to move Fairborn forward. This Strategic Plan is a road map to Fairborn’s Economic future and how we will revitalize our city.

My action strategy also includes improvements to our building permit process and customer service. We have welcomed 15 new businesses to Fairborn. We also have had 28 current businesses expand or remodel. This stimulates additional housing needs for families who wish to work and reside in Fairborn. In the last 2.5 years we have added over 350 new homes in Fairborn. New homes support our schools through the property tax they generate. These new homes have raised our median income; and offer a larger housing selection.

We are also making our city more attractive by removing 89 blighted residential and 16 functionally obsolete commercial buildings. I am a strong advocate of economic development. Along with the entire city council, we are taking an aggressive approach to Economic Development. We hired a city manager that has the background and vision to work our economic development plan. I am asking for your vote to keep moving Fairborn forward.”

Question 2 – What is the most important issue facing this office going forward and what solutions do you have to offer voters for this issue?

“Revitalization and opioids … We are expanding our current businesses and attracting new businesses. Our strategic action plan lays out our road map for Fairborn’s Economic Future. Our Land Use Plan shows projections of future conditions and needs, and goals for the next 20 years. We are also rewriting the zoning code to ensure our codes align with this plan.

We will lose a generation or more of our community to the opioid epidemic if we do not stem the flow of drugs and assist those struggling to recover. Federal and State resources are not enough to reverse this terrible addiction. We have added a second K9 dog and officer to provide more coverage and support for our law enforcement. Our Nuisance Abatement ordnance will be used to close down drug houses. We are looking forward to the opening of the user’s support group to assist those working to recover. The Fairborn against Heroin is a good example of a grassroots organization that is helping folks recover. We continue to support our schools with an additional police officer to teach our kids how to make better decisions in their daily lives; especially about the effects of drugs and drug use.”

Ethan A. Long

Q1 – “I am the right candidate for this seat because I am an outsider who is only interested in what the people want instead of my own personal political agenda. As I’ve knocked on doors and listened to what the voters want and desire these last few months I am now ready to deliver on my promises.”

Q2 – “The most important issue for Fairborn is drugs and crime. Fairborn residents have told me they’re tired of the drugs pouring into our beloved city. I offer voters a few solutions on this issue: one, more coordination between the Fairborn Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department to stop drugs from coming into Fairborn from Montgomery County and the city of Dayton, two, bring rehab centers for addicts to Fairborn, three, get tougher on dealers getting as many as possible behind bars and forcing the remaining few out of Fairborn, four, combine forces with the church community and Fairborn Against Heroin to stop drugs.”

Long
https://www.fairborndailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/10/web1_Long.jpgLong

Keller
https://www.fairborndailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/10/web1_Keller.jpgKeller

By Whitney Vickers

[email protected]

Contact Whitney Vickers at 937-502-4532.

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