Franklin Township

May 09, 2009 Last Updated: May 09, 2009 12:37 PM Local News

Township voters will pick a supervisor for a 6-year seat and a supervisor for a 2-year seat in the May 19 primary. The candidates all are Republicans. There are no Democratic candidates on the ballot.

Dale Forrester147 Grindel RoadOccupation: RetiredFamily: Married, with three adult childrenGovernment experience: Past supervisorJanet Gray105 Rieger RoadOccupation: Retired from bankFamily: MarriedGovernment experience: Member of Franklin Township Planning Commission since April 2008Brian Scott Seidler (also seeking 2-yr. seat)321 Dick RoadOccupation: Regional sales manager for 20 yearsFamily: Married, with a son and daughterGovernment experience: More than 10 years as Franklin Township auditor, with 4 years left on my termMark Thomas (also seeking 2-yr. seat)280 North RoadDid not respondRobert Thompson (also seeking 2-yr. seat)247 Dick RoadOccupation: Senior sales adviserFamily: Married, with one daughterGovernment experience: Township supervisor since January 2008; planning commission member for 15 years

QUESTION: Why are you running for a seat?FORRESTER: I am running to create a township that is run by the supervisors, not the employees. When this occurs, there will be better interaction between the residents and the township officials. The sense of a township government by the people and for the people will be restored. I would like to create a family friendly environment within the township by promoting safe play areas and supporting the Boys & Girls Club and the Prospect Library.GRAY: I have a sincere interest in the future of my community. I worked in banking for 30 years and have the professional experience and financial background to guide our township.SEIDLER: I have watched the finances of the township for 10 years. I have had a chance to review each and every expenditure. In the last few years I have seen the new direction the township supervisors have decided to take. I feel that this new direction will lower the services and the quality of life and property values in Franklin Township. We increased payments to special interest groups and the increased legal fees to break the union contract. Yet we have cut back on equipment replacement and paving projects. I want to see the township move forward and be run like a business.THOMPSON: To continue my program of maintaining lower taxes and continue to use our labor force in an efficient manner. We too are in an economic downturn and we have to use our resources in a prudent manner.QUESTION: What are the top three issues facing your township?FORRESTER: Areas of the road system that have been neglected and waste of winter maintenance materials, taxpayer dollars being spent to maintain state roads, supervisors willing to talk to and work with residents to prevent a hostile situation from occurringGRAY: To ensure the residents' hard-earned tax dollars are spent wisely, maintaining our roads, working within a balanced budget in order to keep our taxes low.SEIDLER: 1. We need to get back on track with our road repairs. We must get back to our previous road maintenance schedule to be able to stay that way. This helps retain our property values2. Rather than replace (an aging piece of equipment) last year we chose to spend $50,000-plus to repair the 2 trucks. We need to get back to rotating our equipment in a timely manor.3. We need a group of supervisors who will stay up to date on (their) duties. I want to see that the decisions that are made are solely based on what is best for Franklin Township not individual personalities.THOMPSON: High taxes — I helped lower taxes by 9 mills since I was appointed in 2008, maintain our roads during the winter and make necessary repairs when needed, keep rigid controls on our spending. We are a small township, and we can't afford to allow personal wants.