Re-Elect Carol Graff Township Trustee, Beavercreek, Ohio

My Philosophy

An elected official must be responsive to the citizenry while at the same time being cognizant of the legal ramifications of each decision made.  I believe that long range planning is imperative and have been instrumental in seeing that the Land Use Plan of Beavercreek Township is current and reflects the development that has occurred.  I support reviewing and improving our Zoning Resolution to be reflective of the needs of the 21^st century. I know that it is important to keep in mind the desires of the current residents while at the same time respecting the rights of the land owner. It is also important to understand how decisions might affect annexation decisions of land holders; I have worked diligently with Greene County officials to agree to extend utilities to minimize the necessity of developers to annex to other communities for this necessary infrastructure. I believe that developers should bear the burden for the cost of the impact of their projects. As a City Council member I worked long and hard to get a traffic impact fee implemented.

I believe it is imperative to try to preserve open space for the future. Toward this end, the Beavercreek Township Trustees have acquired an aggregate of over 275 acres for open space activities: the Koogler Wetland/Prairie Reserve, Pershing Park, Hunters Point Park and Leist Park. 

A community is more than just homes, offices, shopping opportunities and schools. A community is a place where we find indoor and outside recreation facilities to improve our heath and to enjoy living.  The Trustees provide the following to our community:  the most used Greene County Branch Library, lighted ball diamonds at Rotary Park, rest room facilities at Rotary Park and Angel’s Pass Park, a bikeway connector from the Creekside Bike Trail to Rotary Park, the Koogler Wet Woodland Preserve and the Township is a full partner the ownership of the Charles and Anna Mae Lofino Senior Adult and Cultural Center. I am a member of the Senior Center and volunteer in the computer room.

I believe that communication with citizens is important.  I respond to each and every call and email that I receive.  I was instrumental in the creation of the Beavercreek InTouch and currently edit the Township Times portion of that quarterly newsletter that reaches every residence in the entire township that includes the city.

Beavercreek, City and Unincorporated Township, is one of the largest and most populous area in the Miami Valley.  It is important that we take a leading role by being active in the larger community.  I am on the Executive Committee of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. I represent Beavercreek on the US 35 Study Committee. I am a long term member of Greene County Committees that deal with the provision of safe drinking water and the disposal of waste-water.

Beavercreek Township administers the Fire and Emergency Services Department for the entire Township, including the City of Beavercreek. Within the revenues provided primarily by property taxes and EMS payments, we keep our equipment maintained and replaced, when needed, with well trained and equipped personnel. We have aging facilities built for an all male volunteer department created in the 1940’s. Our coed firefighters and paramedics are now on station for 24 hours at a time; they need facilities in which to eat, sleep, bathe and clean their clothes.  We have built excellent facilities at Station 63 on Kemp Road, Station 61 on Dayton-Xenia Road and Orchard Lane and are in the process of renovating Station 62 on Dayton-Xenia Road in Knollwood.  Rebuilding of Station 64 on Indian Ripple Road is in the planning stages. Station 61 provides a training facility to be able to train our personnel in our own community. We have a sophisticated communications network that will be secure from weather or terrorist activities and is an Emergency Operations Center when needed.  Our department works closely with all the others in our region and Beavercreek houses the HazMat unit for Greene County. The Beavercreek Fire Department is fortunate in having a Volunteer Auxiliary that responds to major events. The Township provided a vehicle that is outfitted to support fire victims and firefighters during any disaster; it is the envy of the area.

The Greene County Sheriff patrols the unincorporated portion of the Township and has a sub-station to better serve our community in the lower portion of Station 61.

No community stands alone.  I believe that we must have many collaborative efforts to save taxpayers’ money. Such ventures in which Beavercreek Township participates are: a shared Fire Station with Fairborn, a joint contract for paving through the Greene County Engineer’s Office to lower cost, mutual aid with all surrounding communities for firefighting, emergency medical response and road projects. During the September 2008 Hurricane Ike cleanup the Township and City of Beavercreek worked closely together for the benefit of all our constituents.

By entering into collaborative efforts we create an atmosphere of working together which is attractive to outside businesses because working together fosters a positive economic climate.

I believe in collaboration, cooperation and coordination of efforts to maximize services and minimize costs for the taxpayers of our community.