By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two newcomers to elected office are running to represent the First Ward on Bowling Green City Council.
The First Ward covers the northeast quadrant of the city, and includes the Bowling Green State University campus.
The candidates – Mark Hanson and Nick Rubando – are polar opposites in many of their positions and priorities.
Mark Hanson, a Republican, recently retired after serving as an officer with the Bowling Green Police Division for more than 25 years. He now works part-time as a constable in Wood County Juvenile Court.
Hanson’s Christian faith is the foundation of his life. He unabashedly talks about his fire and brimstone convictions, and believes in freedom from unnecessary government regulations.
Safety
His priority is keeping Bowling Green safe. As a former police officer, he believes he can be a “stabilizing influence” during a time of turmoil. Hanson said he was partially motivated to run for City Council by the increase of violence in the community.
“I’m kind of concerned with all the things I’ve seen over the last year – like efforts to defund the police,” he said.
Hanson vowed to work against anti-police rhetoric, and make sure the police division is fully funded. He fought back at the notion that Bowling Green Police Division targets people of color.
“I know that’s not true,” he said. “I can assure the citizens none of the officers are targeting black and brown people.”
Hanson has serious concerns about what he sees as increasing violence in the downtown on weekend nights.
During a candidate forum earlier this month, he said the downtown area has turned into a “thugs” playground on the weekends. “It’s a dangerous cesspool of mayhem,” Hanson said. “We need to find a way to clean things up.”
He supported the recent decision by the city administration, police and bar owners to close down a North Main Street parking lot where two shootings have taken place in the last few months.
But Hanson said the city should go further to keep the downtown safe. He suggested that the hours of alcohol sales be curtailed to midnight rather than 2 a.m. on Sundays. He also said the city should identify problem bars that have repeated underage sale violations and illegal sales to intoxicated people.
“City council can reject the renewal of a liquor license” for bars with repeated violations, he said.
Hanson also wants to streamline the process of reporting BGSU students who cause consistent problems for full-time city residents. “Then BGSU needs to kick them out of school,” he said during a candidate forum.
Rental housing
Much of the First Ward is made up of rental housing for university students and for families. Hanson believes that self-inspections by landlords are adequate. He opposes unnecessary and costly regulations for rental housing that will likely be passed on to tenants, and create more work for city staff.
“They are going to pass that along to tenants,” he said.
“That’s going to put an undue burden on the city” and require the hiring of more staff, he added.
The city already has ample information on its website for renters who are experiencing difficulty with their housing. And the fire division and health department will inspect properties if there are problems, Hanson said.
Economic development
Hanson said the city needs to not stand in the way of new businesses. He referred to the city missing out on a Best Buy warehouse many years ago by refusing to rezone land for the business.
His economic development strategy is simple – “just saying ‘yes’ to new businesses.”
Hanson is not in favor of a “zero carbon policy” for the city. “It might make utilities too expensive and keep businesses from coming in,” he said. “I’m for a low carbon plan, not a no carbon plan,” he said.
Sustainability
Hanson said he is not opposed to green energy, but “I am not a climate change alarmist.”
He does not believe in pushing for more renewable energy, but instead supports investing in it when it is more affordable.
Hanson supports the use of hybrid vehicles by the police division, and the plans for recycling and food waste composting drop-offs in the downtown.
“Those are all good ideas,” he said. “Anything we can do to keep landfills from filling up is a good thing.”
COVID precautions
Hanson would have voted against the mask mandate enacted by City Council in the summer of 2020.
“I was disappointed when council approved that. I think it’s a personal choice.”
As a police officer during the city-wide mask mandate, Hanson said he came to the decision that he would not cite anyone violating the mandate.
“It causes so much division,” he said.
Park priority
If elected, one of Hanson’s goals is to add a city park in the First Ward, somewhere in the area behind the Dollar Tree on North Main Street.
“The two trailer parks out there don’t have too much for the kids,” he said.
The park would need to be funded through grants and private donations, he added. “I don’t want to put something on the taxpayers.”
Nick Rubando, a Democrat, works for the Toledo Metroparks as an outdoor skills and environmental specialist, and has experience in community organizing and environmental justice.
Rubando, who grew up in a Catholic home, said Bowling Green needs to work on being inclusive, so all people can be comfortable living here. “When Jesus says love thy neighbor, I take that to mean all my neighbors,” he said.
Neighborhoods and rental housing
He believes fair housing is a human right, and revitalized neighborhoods are vital to a healthy community.
Poorly maintained rental properties not only affect the tenants living in them, but also the neighboring property owners.
“If you’re living next to a dilapidated property, it drives your property value down,” he said.
Though Rubando believes most landlords in Bowling Green are trying to do a good job, he also believes the burden should not fall on tenants to “jump through hoops to report a landlord breaking the law,” he said.
“I would push for a little bit more robust independent inspections,” he said.
“I know first hand what renters go through,” said Rubando, who once rented an apartment in Bowling Green with no windows. “My landlord knew I had no options.”
Rubando believes the city’s zoning update will help revitalize the downtown and other areas in the community.
“I want to preserve what we already have, and improve where we can.”
Sustainability and economic development
Rubando said sustainability measures are key to attracting new economic development to Bowling Green. Investing in green energy will not drive up energy costs or drive away business, he said.
“There are so many companies who have said they want to go carbon neutral,” he said. “Investment in our sustainability is essential for economic development.”
If elected to council, he said he would look at the sustainability effect of every decision made.
“Our focus on sustainability is what makes Bowling Green great,” Rubando said.
While the city’s focus on green energy is admirable, he believes it can grow.
“I think we need to enhance our renewable energy here,” he said, predicting that state and federal funding will be forthcoming.
Rubando is supportive of the new food waste composting drop-off program in the city. “I think that’s extremely cool,” he said.
And he is excited about the city adopting a climate action plan, with annual goals.
He suggested the city invest in a new training facility for the fire division. That would give the community one of the highest insurance scores, which would allow businesses and residents to pay lower rates, he said.
COVID precautions
Rubando said he would have voted in favor of the mask mandate adopted by City Council in the summer of 2020. The city-wide mask order helped local businesses stay open, he said.
“I was talking to business owners that said, ‘we want to stay open,’” and this allowed that to happen, he said.
Bicyclists
A cyclist himself, Rubando knows the challenges of navigating Bowling Green on a bicycle. But he also realizes there are no easy answers to making streets more accommodating for bicycles.
“I completely understand bike lanes are tough and expensive,” he said. “I’m looking forward to finding a happy medium. I feel it’s important.”
Pet project
Rubando said he is a good listener.
“My policies come from listening,” he said.
One pet project that has been spurred by constituents is the possible creation of a dog park.
“I feel invested in this community,” Rubando said, pointing out that he does not have a dog himself. “I’m listening to the community and advocating for them. I’m not trying to preach my personal beliefs. I’m trying to advocate for the community.”
