Serving These Communities

Covering the Heart of Hamilton County Since 1983

There are five residents running for council. Two will be elected.

Cynthia Beischel

My name is Cynthia Beischel. As a candidate for Glendale's Council, I welcome this opportunity to present my platform.

A More Participatory System than we've had in the past: An open process of governance that serves and provides a voice for all the residents. More accountability to the electorate and responsibility for actions More public information and involvement in the decision making process concerning matters of major importance, via such methods as annual surveys or public hearings.

Clear Communication of Accurate Information between Officials and Residents: All Council, Town Hall and pivotal Committee meetings need to be televised, making facts concerning issues available on a timely basis. Detailed committee reports need to be written and posted on the website and in papers reflecting who attended and providing information regarding each member's position. Semiannual Town Hall meetings providing a forum for "State of the Village" addresses need to become a tradition with ample time for audience participation.

Community Solidarity: I will be an advocate, as evidenced while a member of the 2006 Glendale Fire Task Force, for all residents. I pledge to make sure we sustain our police, fire and utility departments and have them equipped with up-to-date equipment for optimal performance because they play a critical role in maintaining a viable and safe community. As a 33 year resident, I support participation in our full spectrum amenities which unify and make our village special, as well as attract home buyers to our community, particularly families with children. Towards that end, I am working with a group to reestablish a Glendale lending library.

Village Income: I advocate the promotion and development of significant sources of income for village operations. The plan for an Erickson Retirement Community to be built on Landmark's property, our last large tract of land, fulfills the criteria to provide a source of income from services and taxes. The project would also provide the potential gain of several million dollars via impact fees, while maintaining the Village's unique character, historical charm and integrity.

Together, we can make Glendale an even better place to live.

Laurence Bonhaus

I am Larry Bonhaus. Two years ago, Hildy and I moved to Glendale and are fortunate to live in this beautiful, historic and friendly community. I will bring fresh ideas to Glendale and support the community with my professional training as an architect and attorney specializing in historic preservation, land use and zoning.

Many residents question the cost-effectiveness of re-establishing Glendale’s fire department. Growing up in Greenhills, I strongly support the tradition of volunteer firefighters and am indebted to our neighbors who serve as the core of our department. To protect our lives and property, for our firefighters to do their best work, and assure that they return safely to their families, we must provide quality, up-to-date equipment and technology. Doing less places our firefighters at risk. It is very expensive for a small community to fund a fire department without reducing other important community services. The Council should carefully review the issue and, if necessary, consider alternatives that will continue volunteer involvement while allowing Glendale to contract service from our larger neighboring communities with full time departments. It is unfair to our volunteers who have committed to serve and protect us if the department is not affordable in the future.

A great concern is the age of our beautiful trees and their physical health. When Glendale was originally built, the area was farmland. The trees that make Glendale a special place were planted by the Village founders for future generations to enjoy. Over one-third of those trees are gone and others are in decline and will soon die. We need a detailed study of our tree stock and ordinances requiring replacement of trees throughout the Village, including planting mature trees in the historic district.

Finally, Glendale must be more receptive to younger families. We will preserve our historic buildings and the fabric of our community; at the same time we must allow appropriately designed additions to our homes so that they meet the needs of a 21st century lifestyle. Our permit and historic review process is overly complicated. The Village should support all of our residents and allow for change and growth.

Ralph Hoop

Candidate for Glendale Village Council

My wife and I moved to Glendale in 1984 and all three of our sons graduated from Princeton High School.  I recently retired after a 37-year career as an engineering manager at P&G.  For the last five years I have been Treasurer of Glendale Heritage Preservation and an active trustee of this organization dedicated to our Village.  I served on a Village Plan 2000 committee as well as a recent Village Ad Hoc committee that developed scale and mass guidelines for house construction in the historic district.  Currently I am serving on an Ad Hoc committee that is developing recommendations for a Glendale railroad crossing Quiet Zone.  My connections with Glendale and its residents are varied and long-standing.

Being retired gives me the ability to commit the time required to be an effective representative on Village Council.  If elected, I pledge I will thoroughly prepare for Council and Council Committee meetings and spend the time needed to represent resident concerns.

I think the strong sense of community we enjoy in Glendale is one of the best reasons for living here.  Institutions and organizations help bind us together, and for this reason I am pleased that the reformation of the Glendale Fire Department is proceeding so well.  Although its primary purpose is providing for our safety, the Fire Department’s long association with our Village is one of the reasons our community remains so closely knit together.

Why should you vote for me for Village Council?  Three reasons – connections with the Village, skills developed during a long career in business and the availability of the time required to be an effective council representative.  Please cast one of your votes for Ralph Hoop for Glendale Village Council.

Jenny Kilgore

I am Jenny Kilgore, elected to council to serve the residents of the Village of Glendale in 2004 and appointed by council to serve as Vice Mayor in 2007.  I currently serve on the Laws, Police, and Utilities Committee, and Fire Committee.

I live on Chester Road with my husband of 32 years – Architect Tim Kilgore.   We moved to Glendale in 1984, choosing this village as the family friendly community where we wanted to raise our daughter, Erin, and son, Brian.  

I have taught at Landmark Christian School, Southern Ohio College, and currently at Miami University and for the graduate departments at Indiana Wesleyan University and The College of Mount St. Joseph.  I volunteer at church teaching Junior High Sunday School and locally as an admissions representative for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

As councilwoman and vice mayor my emphasis continues to be on the smooth and sound running of the village of which there are two parts: providing residents with the quality of service at the level they expect at reasonable cost and monitoring the development of our neighboring communities and how that growth affects Glendale.  Of significant influence on the quality of life in our village is the commercial development in neighboring communities. One goal is to limit any adverse effects these projects may have on our village, including visual impact, increase in traffic and non-resident activity.

I represent the village's interests by attending and participating in: Village of Glendale Council and committee meetings, Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, Planning Partnership, First Suburbs, Glendale Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton County Municipal League, & Hamilton County Watershed.

I am running for re-election to council because as an educated, intelligent, grounded, consistent, fiscal conservative I have skills that benefit the village which I am committed to continue using to provide the Glendale Quality of Life we want for our families and their future.

As councilwoman, I respect resident concerns, emphasize fiscal responsibility, and encourage resident participation in determining Glendale's future.  I apply my strong sense of ethics and common sense when making decisions, public and private.

Ephriam Swafford

My name is Ephriam Swafford and I’m honored to have served you for 11 years!

A closer look:

11 years of experience in public office at Glendale; Clerk Treasurer for 3 years; Glendale Councilman for 8 years; Served as Chairman of the Neighbor to Neighbor Committee for Glendale; Served as Glendale Youth Soccer Coach; Served as Glendale Youth Basketball Coach; Served as Glendale Elementary School PTA President; Sunday school teacher for kids 6 thru 12 years old; Served as a motivational speaker for BEST – (Business and Education Succeeding Together); A retired IBM executive with over 30 years of service; Married for 30 years to Miceala, (4) kids – they all attended Glendale Elementary, Princeton Community Middle School and Princeton High School.

Areas of focus: To preserve the beauty, the peacefulness and overall theme of Glendale; Safety for all residents. I support and work closely with our law enforcement department. Open Communications – I feel all Glendale residents should have an equal voice. Council must have someone who can relate to and represent all residents. Continue to improve Glendale’s infrastructure - Streets, sidewalks

My promise: I will serve you to the best of my ability. I will represent all the people all the time.

Thank you for having faith in me the last 11 years.

I’m asking for your vote in November.  Vote:   ( X )  Ephriam Swafford

 

 

Cynthia Beischel     Laurence Bonhaus     Ralph Hoop     Jenny Kilgore     Ephriam Swafford

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