Monday, June 14, 1999
Council field may be large in Mason
3 weigh challenges to 3 incumbents
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — Council members Dick Staten, Bill Kidder and Jim Fox could face some stiff competition in their bids for re-election this fall, as political hopefuls are lining up to challenge for the open seats.
The latest residents pondering a run for council include an attorney and a former firefighter with Mason-Deerfield Joint Fire District. And though their collective years of political experience equal zero, the fact that they represent fresh faces and new ideas promises to add a little spice to this year's campaign.
“The more, the merrier,” said Bill Ehrstine, a seven-year resident and attorney. “I wanted to see some fresh blood on the ballot. I'm glad to see that it's not just me going up against them, but two others considering it as well.
“It's going to be a fun and interesting election. I don't think anyone's a shoo-in.”
Mr. Ehrstine decided to throw his hat in the ring on Thursday after considering it for more than a year. He had previously served as president of Concerned Citizens of Mason, a grass-roots group that pushed a ballot initiative in November challenging the city's plans to widen Tylersville Road.
Increasing concern about the growth of Mason is part of the reason more residents are becoming active in local politics, Mr. Ehrstine said.
“But I think mostly people are angry about the way this particular city council has been running Mason of late,” he said. “The blow-up of the Mason-Deerfield Joint Fire District and Mr. Kidder and Mr. Staten ignoring the term limit laws has really aggravated some people.”
People like Richard Smith, who had been with the joint fire district 37 years. He was so fed up with political squabbling between Mason and Deerfield Township that he resigned from the joint district to protest the split.
Mr. Smith, 57, said if he decides to follow through and run, it will be to represent the “common citizen.”
“I feel like we need a common citizen to come in and slow things down,” said Mr. Smith, owner of Smith Prototypes, an engineering and design company in Mason. “The people on council now only seem to be concerned with trying to make Mason bigger, and I don't know that bigger is necessarily better.”
The third newcomer, Gregory Dayton, is relatively unknown. Mr. Dayton could not be reached by telephone Friday.
“I think it's good that a lot of candidates with varying backgrounds and varying interests are running,” said Mr. Fox, who was one of eight candidates that ran for three council seats in 1995. “It gives the voters a wide array of choices and that is what our system is all about.”
Mr. Kidder and Mr. Staten have filed petitions with the Warren County Board of Elections. However, there is some controversy about whether the two incumbents should be allowed to seek another term.
Mason's city charter prohibits more than two consecutive four-year terms, without a two-year interval. The term limits took effect Jan. 1, 1994, after 70 percent of voters approved a charter amendment.
The charter adds that consecutive terms for which members were elected prior to Dec. 1, 1993, will count in determining eligibility.
Mr. Staten has served on council for 12 years and is in his fourth term. Mr. Kidder is in his second term and Mr. Fox, who has yet to file his petition but still plans to run, is in his first.
Mr. Kidder, Mr. Staten and City Law Director Ken Schneider have disputed the constitutionality of counting terms that began before the 1993 general election. Mr. Schneider cited an Ohio Supreme Court case involving Cincinnati's charter where it was determined that term limits could not be made retroactive.
Warren County Prosecutor Tim Oliver issued an opinion in 1995 that seemed to agree with Mr. Schneider's interpretation of the law. Mr. Oliver ruled that because of the high court's decision, the retroactive provisions were unconstitutional.
Neither Mr. Kidder nor Mr. Staten could be reached for comment Friday.
Investment flows into recreation
River freight traffic still growing
Drunken-driving arrests declining
'Worm' still eating computer data
Sales flying high as Flag Day is observed
Voice mail's as hot as the weather
Comedy Central's new lineup bad vs. good
Construction zone is dangerous place for workers
Cool down: skies plan on it
Getting his street smarts
2 guilty pleas are expected in killing
Picturing Hamilton in 2020
Schools update systems
Concours d'Elegance
Council field may be large in Mason
Crescent Park in final days
Pianist, CSO unite for a double delight
Section of roof collapses at store; 2 employees hurt
Spectacular feet
Summer series provides free music
Trumpeter rocks Dayton with hot night of jazz
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
