The Galion Inquirer held a town hall meeting Thursday night at the Galion Public Library with 55 in attendance.
Here are selected quotes from each candidate in attendance:
GALION CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Carl Watt
“So many exciting things are coming up here.”
“I did a good job communicating as Council president.”
“Accomplished so much in the last two years.”
GALION TREASURER
Bill Comerford
“My experience in management has helped me work with everybody to reach the desired results.”
“The office of Treasurer is an opportunity to use my skillset to help make Galion the place my wife and I dreamed it would be when we moved here 11 years ago.”
“Everybody involved (here) has passion. We need to find common ground and harness that passion.
Rodney Sparks
“I have no hidden agendas. I want to be the best that I can be.”
“Our past and current leaders have done good things, but haven’t always done the right thing.”
GALION CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE
Gail Baldinger
“It’s about doing what citizens wish. I have an open door policy.”
“The negativity (in Galion) needs corrected.”
Shirley Clark
“With the mayor, we’ve managed to get a lot done in Galion. Galion has always been a great little town. If everyone keeps working together, we can make it great again.”
I want to see Galion grow and bring business (here).”
Dr. Thomas Fellner
“We have a chance to build a hotel on Routes 598 and 30. Building a hotel gives us a stake that we can accomodate our own and other things will follow.”
“(Good) business opportunities need to be taken.”
“We need to be respectful of other opinions.”
Paula Durbin
“I like Galion. It’s a great place to live and raise children. It has potential, but there is a lot more we can do with it.”
“We have a lot of great things going for us. We need an open and honest government. Very passionate about doing things right and by the book.”
“I’ve gotten in trouble for being honest in the past, but it works best in the end. If you tell the truth, you won’t have a problem.”
Judy Gibson
“I think sometimes they get sick of looking at my face (during meetings). But I’m always there.”
“We need to get our story out. Many people have never heard of Galion.”
“We need something to draw people in.”
GALION COUNCIL FIRST WARD
Sara Capretta
“Looking to get more involvement from city residents. I want to get rid of the negativity in town.”
“I will stand up for what’s right.”
“I’m an open book, if you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask me.”
GALION COUNCIL THIRD WARD
Jim Hedges
“My agenda is to bring back big business to Galion.”
“I’m an open book.”
“My philosophy is what I can do for you.”
Mike Richart
“Galion is a fantastic place. There is so much potential in this community. We want to make sure it’s an attractive place for people to come.”
“I have a passion for this community. We have been doing many things for this community.”
POLK TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Glenn Cheeseman
“I don’t know all of the answers, but I’ll find someone who will.”
“We’ve tried to do what’s best for the community.”
GALION BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dennis Long
“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a learning experience.”
Brian Carson
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know other board members.”
“I’ll work hard to make sure tax dollars are spent wisely.”
ISSUES
Galion City Schools
7.73 mill renewal levy for school budget
Polk Township
Renewal of 5.4 mill levy for fire protection, ambulance and emergency medical services
Crawford County General Health District
New 0.85 mill levy to fund health programs
