Trustees Mat Flanagan and Donna Finn face newcomer Dave Keseg for two open trustees seats.

When asked how he would maintain the township's rural character, Flanagan, a Clark State Road resident, said, "I would do the same thing I have been doing for the past 24 years."

He pointed to his work with developers to keep 40 percent of their development in green space.

"We'll continue to work with developers while exploring means to acquire more parkland," he said.

Finn, a Headley Road resident, said that as a former zoning inspector-development coordinator, "I was instrumental in rewriting our zoning code," which, in part, required developers to set aside 35-percent open space.

As trustee, she said, "I have made certain that all residential developments adhere to, if not exceed, this open-space requirement." The average, she said, has been 41-percent open space.

Keseg, who lives on Kesegs Way in Blacklick, called for judicious zoning to preserve the "green" nature of the township.

"We need to preserve as much of our beauty of our green space as possible," he said.

All three candidates have similar perspectives on annexation.

"There will always be a concern," Flanagan said. "I feel that future annexations will be minimal."

Finn agreed: "We have made significant strides in working with the city of Gahanna. With the current economy, annexation of residential property to Gahanna is not economically profitable to Gahanna."

Keseg's platform carried a "green" theme, generally opposing the prospect of annexation.

Keseg didn't respond to a question on whether an operating levy would be needed in the near future. He said he would make sure that the Jefferson Township Fire Department "has all the resources they need to provide quality emergency medical services and fire protection to our community."

Flanagan said the fire department is on good financial footing, but a levy might be needed soon to repair deteriorating roads.

"The township has over $2-million in our fire fund that by law can only be used for fire services' future needs," he said. "On the other hand, the state is taking away money that the township used to receive for our general fund."

Keseg said the roads must get the upkeep they need.

"That includes placement of speed bumps in strategic locations to keep our children safe," he said.

Keseg also is calling for programs like teaching residents CPR and strategic placement of automatic external defibrillators in the township.

"A community that is committed to reducing deaths from cardiac arrest will be regarded as a wonderful place to live," he said.

He wants to add more community venues like the farmers market, where neighbors can meet neighbors.

Finn said it is possible that voters soon could see a 1-mill levy, allowing "the residents to decide if road repairs are warranted." The money from such a levy also would be used to repair and maintain parks, she said.

gvickers@thisweeknews.com

Mat Flanagan

Donna Finn

Dave Keseg