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Ross Township trustee candidates debate farmland development, taxes and public-safety priorities at forum
Summary
Four candidates for two Ross Township trustee seats presented backgrounds and competing approaches to development, fiscal management and public safety at a League of Women Voters forum at Ross High School; candidates emphasized planning, conservation options and stricter fiscal oversight.
Ross Township trustee candidates outlined sharply overlapping priorities — preserving the township's rural character while preparing for inevitable growth — during a candidate forum at Ross High School.
At a Nov. 1 forum moderated by Emily Toby of the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati area, the four candidates running for two trustee seats described their professional backgrounds and gave brief opening statements before answering questions on farmland conversion, taxes and infrastructure.
Andrea Hatton, a longtime public servant who said she manages a more-than-$9 million annual budget in her current role, stressed that her experience overseeing personnel and budgets would help the township. "I am not a politician," Hatton said, adding that she would work to develop a secondary tax base and pursue state and federal grants to supplement property taxes.
Candidate Anneil Luki described himself as a local business owner and project manager who would bring financial oversight and transparency. He urged vetting developers' track records and presenting residents with full information on infrastructure impacts; he also proposed working with large landowners to explore conservation programs.
David Young, a longtime township official, emphasized his record on the board, including past work to end a joint economic development district with the city of Hamilton and recent appointments for police and fire leadership. Young said he prefers limiting large-scale development and questioned whether more businesses would substantially lower residential tax burdens.
Donald Bennett, a career public-safety professional and former fire chief, urged advance planning and community dialogue so residents have a say when developers propose projects. "We need a plan," Bennett said, arguing the township should define expectations for new development to avoid surprise service demands.
On the question of balancing new development with the township's rural feel, candidates generally endorsed using the township's land-use plan and, where applicable, tools such as overlay districts to guide design consistency and preserve character. Several candidates pointed to conservation trusts and programs as options to keep large parcels out of development if landowners are willing.
The forum also covered fiscal strategy: candidates proposed a mix of tighter expense reviews, more aggressive grant-seeking, proactive capital planning and financial stewardship of township assets. Luki argued the township could have earned higher returns on idle cash, while Bennett recommended a multi-year capital plan so major expenditures are anticipated and funded in advance.
The forum ended with a reminder to vote on Election Day, Nov. 4, and the program transitioned to a presentation by Ross Township fire officials about the fire and emergency medical services levy on the same ballot.
The forum was organized by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati area and held at Ross High School. The event format limited audience participation to preselected questions submitted in advance.
