By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The race for the statehouse has disappointed many Wood Countians with its nasty tone. To rise above that low road, this story looks at where the candidates stand on issues…….
Two downtown Bowling Green business owners have set their sights on the state representative seat for Wood County. One shop sells coffee on South Main Street, and the other sells Philly steak sandwiches on North Main Street.
But that’s where the similarities end.
Theresa Gavarone, who joined her husband as co-owner of Mr. Spots in 2010, has been an attorney for 22 years, and has served on Bowling Green City Council for two and a half years. She was appointed by the Republican party to the state representative seat this past summer when Tim Brown stepped down.
Kelly Wicks opened Grounds for Thought in 1989, and was selected by the Wood County Democratic Party to run for the vacated seat. He is one of the founders of the Black Swamp Arts Festival, served as past president of Downtown Business Association, on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and Recycling Task Force.
Gavarone sees reducing taxes and regulations as the road to bringing more business to Wood County.
“We want to keep Wood County working,” and cutting regulations would make compliance easier for businesses, she said. “If we can bring businesses here and create an environment – that will allow them to thrive and grow.”
During her stint on city council, Gavarone has said she helped bring 1,000 jobs to the city. “I was part of a team,” she said.
Wicks doesn’t view regulations as the enemy, since many are there for purposes like keeping employees and the public safe. He does see ways, however, that red tape can be cut for businesses trying to get permits.
“I’ve always tried to help create jobs in the community by helping new businesses,” he said. “As a small business owner, I’d like to be a voice for small businesses in Ohio.”
Both candidates say they are capable for working across the aisle with the other political party.
“I have a proven track record with my time on City Council,” Gavarone said, mentioning her work with Democrats on council. “We saw things very similarly.”
As an attorney, Gavarone said she had to work well with others. “I saw myself as a problem solver. You’re working with all kinds of people to solve a problem and achieve a goal,” she said. “I’m not looking at what side of the aisle people are on. I’m looking at the objective. That’s the way I tackle issues.”
Wicks noted his volunteer commitments that have benefitted the entire community.
“I like to bring people together and achieve positive results, and make the community a better place,” he said.
If elected, Wicks would like to help bring back checks and balances to state government. “I want to restore balance to the single party rule we have here in Ohio,” he said. “It forces you to work together, and I think that’s what people want.”
Both candidates have strong feeling about public education in Ohio.
Gavarone, who has been appointed to the House Education Committee, met recently with school superintendents in Wood County.
“I want to hear what their concerns are. We need to make sure schools are funded and make sure teachers have the tools they need,” she said.
One of the problems she heard about from superintendents was the lack of funding predictability. “It makes budgeting a challenge,” Gavarone said.
As for charter schools, Gavarone supports the recent legislation that requires more standards for charters. “I think we need to continue to monitor that,” she said.
Wicks noted his steady support for school levies. “I think it’s important to value public education,” he said. “I talk to teachers buying their own supplies,” to superintendents worried about aging buildings, and to principals who have to make do with fewer counselors, nurses and janitors.
Meanwhile, charter schools are siphoning money away from public schools, he said. Charters were originally started to allow parents in failing school district to get good educations for their children. Now, they are mass giveaways to for-profit schools which are not held to the same academic and attendance standards.
The “lax oversight” from the state allows the drain on public schools to continue, Wicks said.
Both candidates also see water as a major issue for the state – though with different perspectives.
“Water safety is extremely important,” Gavarone said. “A strong agricultural economy is very important as well as a safe water source. It’s really important to sit down together to protect the water.”
Gavarone is unsure if the “impaired” designation for Lake Erie is the best route for the region.
Wicks supports the “impaired” designation. “A lot of people don’t realize the outlets and shoreline are already declared impaired.”
The voluntary standards in place are not enough, Wicks said, since this region relies on Lake Erie water for health and tourism. “On so many levels, it’s important that we not pay lip service to this problem,” he said. “We all have to work together. It won’t be easy, but it needs to be done.”
Both candidates have other issues that mean a great deal to them. For Gavarone it’s mental health and opiate issues, and for Wicks it’s transportation and infrastructure.
“I’ve seen the impact of mental illness and drug addiction from many different angles,” Gavarone said of her work as an attorney. Emphasis should be put on better identifying people who need services and making sure beds are available.
“It’s devastating,” she said of the opiate crisis. “It’s an epidemic. It’s reaching people of every different economic group. It’s so widespread and so devastating.”
For Wicks, the loss of federal transportation money to Ohio was massive. “We gave back $400 million in federal transportation money,” he said of Republican leadership. The money then went to other states for transportation projects.
“Those are great drivers of the economy,” he said. “There’s a return of between $5 and $10 for every dollar invested.”
If elected, Wicks intends to seek federal help with infrastructure projects in Ohio. “I will go after resources to help our communities in a meaningful fashion,” he said.
