The race for Johnstown Village Council includes incumbents Joyce Evans, Sharon Hendren, Adam Roberts and Carol Van Deest, as well as challenger Sean Staneart.


Joyce Evans, 65, has lived in Johnstown all her life. Married to Larry Evans, she is a Johnstown High School graduate and has worked at the Johnstown Family Restaurant and McDonald's.


Sharon E. Hendren, also 65, has lived in Johnstown for 41 years. Single, she is the mother of five grown children and has four granddaughters.


She is a graduate of Licking Heights High School and has worked at Nationwide Beauty Academy, American Airlines, America West as a ticket and gate agent and is now a flight attendant for Chautauqua.


Adam R. Roberts, 32, is married and has lived in Johnstown for five years. He is employed by Nationwide Insurance, in Systems Administration/-Engineering. Roberts holds a master's in management from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, bachelor's degree in political science from Ohio State University.


Sean Staneart, 30, is a 22-year resident of Johnstown and a graduate of JMHS. He and his wife Shannon are parents of a daughter. Staneart  holds a bachelor's degree in business from Muskingum College and is co-owner of Staneart Inc., three small businesses that are primarily convenience store oriented, and of Staneart Properties  LLC, developer of commercial and residential properties for leasing purposes.


Carol Van Deest, 61, has lived in Johnstown all her life. A widow, she is a retired educator with 30 years experience as a teacher, district librarian and technology coordinator in the Johnstown-Monroe School District. For six years she was with the state of Ohio as an educational technology consultant. She holds a master's degree in education administration and a bachelor's degree in education.


Candidates answered The Independent's questions as follows:


Do you believe the village's economic development program is progressing as well as it should? Is there anything you think the village should do differently to attract more development?


Evans: I think we are doing okay but all communities are having trouble with the economy. Instead of another housing development, I would like to see us get more industry. That would create jobs within the village.


Hendren: Our village has seen the pressure of rapid development since the 1990s. In this current, difficult financial environment, Johnstown is one of those fortunate communities experiencing commercial, but not residential, development. The industrial park is currently undergoing expansion, a new Kroger shopping center is nearly complete, and several existing buildings are seeing reuse in the older part of town. All of this will eventually result in over 100 new jobs for our community.


Roberts: What we have seen lately is a slow-down of rates that were unsustainable. I believe that over the next year or two we will start to see a reimagining of the business environment that will favor Johnstown. We have access to large populations of skilled workers, educated workers, and entrepreneurs. These groups will come together to build new businesses and grow existing ones. Johnstown has to prepare for that opportunity.


Staneart:  It's tough to answer that question in a time of such economic downturn. Currently we're experiencing a much slower rate of expansion, making any growth difficult. However, right now provides us with the opportunity to look at other successful communities, and find what they've done so that we may be more prepared for the next wave of economic growth.


Van Deest: I believe the village can do some things differently to attract more development. They can begin to forge a more cooperative spirit with Downtown Johnstown, Inc. This group's focus is on the revitalization and preservation of the village. The village can also work cooperatively with the Monroe Township Trustees and Licking County officials to reach out to potential businesses and existing businesses wishing to expand. 

 
Johnstown recently addressed a sidewalk issue and selling dogs from a residence. Do you think Johnstown's zoning code needs to be further reviewed to eliminate "gray" areas?


  Evans: We need to try to better define our zoning issues and the requirements for new sidewalks. I'm helping put together an architecture review board and historical preservation committee, so the village doesn't lose any more historic structures.


Hendren: Definitely, our zoning code needs to be reviewed. There are so many gray areas, we need to have it in black and white. It was fine when Johnstown was a smaller community. But now that it's larger, we need to change things.


Roberts: There are a number of ordinances in Johnstown that need to be addressed aside from zoning. We do need to work more on defining the areas, perhaps even redrawing boundaries. Instead of lists of what is permitted, we need to identify what we do not want to see in a particular zone. If we limit the activities surrounding a business instead of the business type, there is less chance for the type of confusion surrounding the dog breeding. By setting limits we can control where businesses go.


Staneart: I would like to see more consistency when codes are being applied. With each new member that cycles through the board, different rulings on what is or is not acceptable seems to occur. With a code book that's out-of-date, it may not include specific details for current issues. Without the help from a detailed guide, it forces the board to make rulings based on personal feelings rather than a specified code. Without necessary changes the village will be constantly faced with "gray" areas of the code.


Van Deest: There is a real need to update local zoning ordinances in an effort to eliminate as many gray areas as possible. Nevertheless, it is difficult to foresee what might become an issue down the road. The main focus of any zoning code should always take into consideration the health, safety and general welfare of the community.

 
The Johnstown Council voted to place a limit on the number of yard sales last year, and they also considered placing a limit on the number of animals a resident could house. Where do you think public entities should draw the line in telling residents what they can and can't do?

 
Evans: Yard sales, to me, are becoming a business for people. To me, a yard sale is if I get a new couch and want to sell the old one. We have people who will buy 10 items of the same thing and put them in a yard sale. That's a business Residents should be able to have as many animals as they want, as long as they're properly taken care of. To me, it becomes an issue when it becomes an infringement on neighbors. I never want to tell a resident, 'you can't do that' unless it's really bad or something that will wreak havoc in the neighborhood. I never want to tell someone they have to paint a house, take a tree down or make a driveway bigger.


Hendren:  I think there needed to be a limit on yard sales. The animal issue is a tough one. I don't know where to go with that. I really think four animals to a household is plenty, should we go with that. That's a tough one.


  Roberts: I voted against the yard sale ordinance because I felt it excessive. While there are people who view yard sales as summertime businesses, we can have the zoning laws crafted to help control them. The monthly yard sales, produce stands, fundraising booths and the like do not pose a direct threat to the village. They are what help to define the village and set Johnstown apart from our larger neighbors.
 The number of animals in a residence is a highly personal decision. While I personally find it hard to believe that someone with a large number of pets in a small house and a small yard is fully capable of keeping it clean, I do not feel that it is the responsibility or concern of the government to place a limit.


Staneart: This is a tough question to answer because many factors need to be looked at. If the limit was preexisting prior to purchase, nothing was forced upon the resident. If restrictions were placed after the purchase of the property, this may infringe on the freedoms of the property owner. However one person's freedoms should not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others around them. There is a reasonable amount of stress that residential areas can bear. Commercial, industrial, and agricultural zoning areas are set up and designed to handle the added stresses that can be applied to them. Residential areas represent where people eat, sleep, and spend time with their families and yes, play with pets and have garage sales. When garage sales start to be more like businesses and the number of pets approaches farming or breeding status, I believe the village has the right to protect the other families of that area.


Van Deest: I am not sure. Each village dilemma that comes before council usually has several viewpoints that are represented by residents or in some cases by non-residents. Council is asked to weigh in and either change or create ordinances to address the concern or to keep the status quo. It does help to have feedback from the public. I wish I could give a more definitive answer to this question. 

 
 What are the two most important issues facing the village of Johnstown and how do you suggest the village deal with them?

 
Evans: Finance and controlled growth are important. We're trying to cut back everything we can and still function well. We annexed more land in the industrial park. I'd like to see industrial growth for Johnstown.


Hendren: Fiscal responsibility and managed growth. Growth needs to be managed, and the village administration and service department are currently undergoing a restructuring that will result in cost savings, while providing better service for village residents.


Roberts: Right now there are definite financial concerns. Projects were undertaken over the last decade based upon the income of the time. That income has slowed along with the rest of the economy. At the same time interest rates on any savings vehicles have dropped, causing a double hit. We need to look at creative ways of generating income and continue to keep a close eye on expenses.
Another significant concern is the traffic growth through the village. We have taken the first steps to address this by working with ODOT on the improvements to Main and Coshocton streets. More needs to be done. Our traffic controls are outdated, limiting the changes that we can ask for or make. We also need to work with the residents of Johnstown to recognize that they are speeding through a great many areas.


Staneart: In light of the last question, a complete reconstruction of the code book is necessary. Johnstown is at a cross road in its history as it draws closer to becoming a city. We as a community must decide whether we want to be more like Westerville, Granville, New Albany, or go down the path towards Reynoldsburg and Newark. Not too long ago these villages were laying the foundation for the community in which they became. Much of what determines the outcome revolves around your zoning code [which] sets the standards developers are required to meet. Growth should bring the community with it, not leave part of it behind. Why should our memories of past landscapes be replaced by anything but long lasting quality?


The next issue of importance facing the village is finances. Without proper money management, opportunities that can have a positive impact on our village could be passed over for lack of funding.At the same time, we need to provide maintenance and improvements for our current services. With proper finances we can invest towards projects that generate the village revenue, which can soften the tax burden and add to the value of the community.


Van Deest: I believe economic development and the revitalization of Johnstown's downtown area are two important issues collectively facing the village. Research shows that a healthy and vibrant downtown boosts the economic health and quality of life in a community. Specifically, it creates jobs, nurtures small businesses, reduces sprawl, protects property values, and increases the community's options for goods and services. A healthy downtown is a symbol of community pride and history. I think the village can deal with these issues by continuing to work cooperatively with the Downtown Johnstown, Inc. organization in their quest to revitalize and promote our community.

 
If elected, what do you hope to achieve in office. If you're an incumbent, what's your proudest accomplishment from your last term, and what are your goals for the next term?

 
Evans: I'm proud of businesses coming to town and the start of our downtown revitalization. During the last term, council achievements included the expansion of Atrium, addition of Thirty-One, the new Kroger, town hall cupola and the creation of Downtown Johnstown, Inc.


Hendren: I have served on council for eight years and assisted on numerous community activities and committees, including Downtown Johnstown Inc. I have listened to what the citizens have said and will continue to respond accordingly in my next term.
Goals include getting our finances in shape. That's the first thing we need to do. I'd also like to see more sidewalks. I'd like to see more revitalization in downtown Johnstown. We'd like to expand on the bike path and get some parking area there. I'd like the bike path to be more user friendly.


Roberts: I hope to be able to continue with individuals and groups who want to see Johnstown thrive.  The future of the village rests in the hands of everyone who lives here. I am happy that I was able to work with council to modify the parking proposal that came before us that would have eliminated parking on the street village wide. By limiting parking to one side of the street, it is easier for emergency vehicles to travel and presents fewer opportunities for people to dart into the street unnoticed.


Staneart: My hope is that in four years council has taken the zoning codes from another community, removed what doesn't fit our vision, and adopted them as our own. This would allow for a proactive instead of reactionary approach as we encounter new issues during our growth. In the same period of time, I hope council has taken a look at our current debt and income ratios to see if we can save money in areas, and or generate more income. This then would enable us to provide the maintenance and infrastructure that the community desires.


Van Deest: If elected, I hope to achieve improved economic development, as well as progress in the revitalization of Johnstown's downtown area. I was appointed to the council in May, 2008, and since that time my accomplishments have been centered on becoming an informed, active member of council; participating in the hiring process for the new village manager; and involvement with the revitalization of Johnstown's downtown area through membership in Downtown Johnstown, Inc. 

 
 Why should residents vote for you? What qualities do you have that would make you the best candidate for the position?

 
Evans: I love Johnstown and work hard for our village.  I have a very good rapport with village citizens, and I also have a very good working relationship with the village employees and fellow council members. I'm willing to work as long and hard as it takes to get things done correctly. I can always be reached in case of a crisis, because I live and work in the community. I'm always willing to jump in and help anyone.


Hendren: I have lived in Johnstown and Monroe Township for 40-plus years and experienced many changes. I have eight years' experience on council.  I'll continue to listen to citizens concerns and will respond accordingly.


Roberts: I will not ask anyone to vote for me. What I will ask is that residents go out and vote. Vote for the candidate that you feel will serve the community. There are issues facing us all that will require a joint effort in order to succeed. We need more people to realize that.


Staneart: They currently don't have any business owners on council, and I hope to offer a business point of view. I feel that we must have a vision and plan for the village and I have that. If we as a village don't plan for our growth, someone else will. I would encourage anyone that lives within the village, and might have expertise in these fields, to run for council and help plan the growth of Johnstown.


Van Deest: I am very familiar with the village of Johnstown since I have lived here my entire life.  I have an ongoing interest in seeing my community prosper and grow responsibly. My firm allegiance and hope for Johnstown demonstrates that I could be a "best candidate" for the Johnstown Village Council.