Meet the Candidates: Bath Township Trustee

One seat is open on the Bath Township Board of Trustees and Elaina Goodrich is running for re-election against Richard Bradner.

All trustees serve four-year terms and the state determines a pay range for township trustees based on each township’s budget. The trustee annual salary is $24,729. Elected officials in Bath are able opt in for health care insurance through the township if they choose.

Following are questions posed to the candidates by the Bath Country Journal. Their responses were limited to 275 words. Below are their unedited responses.

1. What is the biggest issue facing Bath?

Bradner: Recruitment and development of superior township staff is vital to maintaining important community services. Township leadership must be strongly committed to Keeping Bath Rural as an overriding imperative in the face of development pressures on the township that poses negative affect(s) upon our rural/bucolic quality of life. Township leadership must be committed to sustaining the quality of life enjoyed by Bath residents. Highly qualified/trained/motivated township personnel are critical to continuance of our envied quality of life.

Goodrich: The need to balance preserving the cultural and rural-residential character of Bath against excessive commercial and high-density residential development pressures.

2. How should the township maintain and enhance its network of parks to ensure longevity?

Bradner: I intend to continue, build upon and strengthen our parks; keeping the interests of the community at large in the forefront. We have first rate, prominent parks today and this high standard should be maintained into the future. Sound personnel are at the core of such high-ranking parks along with maintaining the level of excellence expected by our community.

Goodrich: Planning is key to maintaining Bath’s rural character, including park land. I will continue to work to improve revenue streams to ensure Bath’s financial stability, to write grant requests that result in park enhancements for the community, and to be fiscally responsible to enable Bath to maintain services at current levels while expenses continue to increase.

I am dedicated to identifying and reviewing the issues, evaluating outcomes, and choosing wisely what is BEST for BATH.

3. How will you maintain Bath’s rural character while allowing for the possibility of economic development?

Bradner: Bath holds an enviable position in Northeast Ohio for providing superior township services for the Community. This is Foundational for our High Quality of Life. It is essential to use the “Keep Bath Rural” mandate that has been historically supported by the community to this end. While selective, appropriate development/redevelopment is important, it should be done within the confines of the time tested Bath Zoning Resolution and Comprehensive Plan. The dangers of Urbanization must be weighed carefully against the High Quality of Life we enjoy today that makes Bath a highly sought after community to live in and raise a family.

Goodrich: As a Trustee, I implemented and supported Bath’s current Comprehensive Land Use Plan that guides growth and land use development to keep Bath’s rural-residential character. This has allowed us to maintain Bath’s unique qualities during the past 25 years.

I initiated numerous citizen committees, including the Comprehensive Land Use Committee, Heritage Corridors of Bath, Bath Attractions, Trails and Greenways, Discovery Tour Committee, North Fork Preserve Committee, that enlist volunteers and input from community members. These committees emphasize the rural character of Bath keeping that foremost.

Through zoning, I will balance future development efforts against the environmental impact in order to maintain OUR rural-residential character, protecting and preserving Bath’s unique charm.

4. If elected, what is one thing you hope to accomplish during your term?

Bradner: Retain/enhance our decades old open/rural character community plan while curbing commercial and urban development. Keep Bath the beautiful green gem it is supporting a sustainably healthy environment. Maintain home values keeping Bath a “Great Place to Call Home.” BradnerforBath.com.  

Goodrich: Continue to keep Bath Township as a model of an efficient, fiscally responsible, local government. As an elected official, I oversee the day-to-day, high-quality operations, which ensures meeting the needs of the residents of Bath including police, fire, EMS, roads, zoning, cemeteries and parks. I am dedicated to always doing what is Best for Bath. ∞

Richard J. Bradner
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired IT Executive/Consultant

Elaina Goodrich
Age:
Occupation: Bath Township Trustee