Recordpub.com - Young perspective versus experience in commission debate

By Mike Sever

Record-Courier staff writer

The economy, county services and the foreclosure crisis were front and center at Thursday night's debate between Democratic candidates for Portage County commissioner.

About 60 people turned out to hear the views of challenger Brett McClafferty, 19, of Streetsboro and 20-year incumbent Chris Smeiles. The debate was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kent and the League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County.

McClafferty said he believes it's time for a change.

"I have no quarrel with Chris Smeiles. He's a nice guy. I just think he's been in public office too long," McClafferty said at the end of their hour-long debate. He pointed to the current board, where "all three commissioners are middle-aged," and said the board needs one commissioner "who's of a different generation and a different perspective."

"I'm not going to apologize for being middle-aged. It happens to you," Smeiles responded. "But it does give life experience" and a longer perspective, he said.

The two agreed on a number of issues, and differed on more.

McClafferty said he supports a charter form of county government with an elected executive because it would guarantee broader representation.

Smeiles responded that Summit County, the only charter county in Ohio, has seen its expenses rise 300 percent under the charter form.

McClafferty said he supports a 30-day moratorium on foreclosures in the county.

Smeiles said commissioners have provided $100,000 in seed money for a local foreclosure prevention program that has so far saved 72 homes from foreclosure.

McClafferty said more should be done on economic development, noting the top development post was vacant for two years.

In his opening remarks, Smeiles announced the hiring of a new director and noted that office staff and commissioners did what was necessary.

McClafferty said he supports smart growth to protect environmentally sensitive areas. Smeiles said he has helped direct more than $1 million in the last 10 years to the Portage Park District to buy and protect such lands.

Smeiles said he's also helped create sewer projects around the county to replace failing septic systems and protect water sources and health.

McClafferty supports cutting the county workforce (excluding law enforcement) by 20 percent through attrition.

Smeiles questioned how the remaining workers would take care of the workload of a growing county with fewer people.

"It's not realistic and not fair to the people left to shoulder the load," Smeiles said.

2.	Posted by Dowhatsright February 22, 2008
	I could not attend, but I will bet none of the candidates admitted to loosing over $200,000 that they gave to a day care business. This was along with the thousands of dollars the Neighbor hood development gave the same day care. Now they are going bankrupt and their goes our tax money. I am not sure where the Neighborhood Development got the money they gave the day care, but I do know the county wants Neighborhood Development to run the program for helping the people in foreclosure. They are off to a good start. Wasn't the Neighborhood Development the same one that gave Paul Jones and Stone all of that money. Wow ! I guess they are good at giving out money. It is not the county government function to give out tax payers money to delay a foreclosure on a business or a home. That is the banks. It is the government duty to see that the banks do it fair and square. Let us be real. If you loose your job or have some other major set back and you can not make the mortgage payment. What are the chances that you can make two mortgage payments? One to the county to pay the taxpayers back and one to the bank for the original mortgage. I would say not very likely. Most likely you will loose 90% of the money you use to stop foreclosure. This plan is ripe for payoff to old political friends.