C.J. Carr … Symmes Township Trustee – Elect C.J. Carr Symmes Township Trustee

Where Do I Vote? Find Your Polling Location »

When is the last time you had a direct one-on-one conversation with a Symmes Township Trustee? Most residents I talk to say … Never. Well, I intend to change this by going door-to-door to discuss your concerns and take notes regarding your comments and suggestions.

A short video below outlines some of my proposals including those to enhance trustee-to-resident communications and improve the fiscal strength of the Township. Additionally, here is a link to my Facebook page ....

As time allows, I will share below some of the comments I hear as I proceed … Comments will be displayed with the first name - last name initial to protect your privacy.

“Joseph H. … The Property Restrictions Code (editors insert: he is referring to the Symmes Township Property Maintenance Code) as proposed by the current trustees is most upsetting to me. Last time I checked, it was in its ninth revision, contained extremely vague and poorly written content, and duplicated much that was already included at the county level. It was rumored that it was to include a provision that stated if a complaint was filed against your property, you would be forced to pay for the cost of the investigation.”

Mike R. ... “We have a serious traffic problem in Camp Dennison. A recent traffic study recorded over 80% of the drivers passing through Camp Dennison exceed the posted speed limit posted speed limit (35mph) by more than 10mph. Daily high speed through our neighborhood ranged from 73mph to 92mph. A request for one permanent automated speed indicator sign ($2-3K) was denied as being too expensive. I find this extremely offensive since these same trustees voted to spend over $40,000 for a mural at a park in their neighborhood. I am very angry!

"Randall S. ... I heard a trustee say that the Property Maintenance Code was officially dead. This strikes me as strange because just before the last election I heard the same thing - that the Property Maintenance Code was no longer being considered - only to have the same trustees bring it back to life after the election"

“Jay H. … Your opponent, Mr. Beck seems to be all about raising taxes on township residents … he was the chief supporter for implementing new JEDZ taxes, adding a new “permanent” tax to the annual automobile license plate fees, new “permanent” park taxes, new “permanent” road taxes, new “permanent” safety taxes and next there are a whole host of new taxes scheduled for 2020. He always proposes permanent taxes, meaning that once passed, residents are completely removed from any oversight on the issue. “

*****************

I would like to hear from you …
Please send your Comments and/or questions

NOTE: This email and any files transmitted with it are deemed confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. The email / phone information will only be used to respond to comments / questions and occasionally update you on important Symmes Township circumstances unless you indicate otherwise.

Hello, my name is CJ Carr and I would like to take a couple minutes of your time to introduce myself, and inform you of my views, and how I would serve the residents of Symmes township if elected. To start off ...

• I grew up and have always lived in the Loveland/ Symmes township area

• I was a cub scout and boy scout and obtained the rank of Eagle scout, I moved on to be a cub scout leader and a boy scout leader, and I continue to work with boy scouts on service projects.

• I started, and have been running a small home building , remodeling company in the area for the last 30 years.

• I received the Montgomery - Blue Ash - Symmes Township Rotary Club Entrepreneur Award in 2006. • I am an active member and currently Vice President of the Symmes Township Historical Society.

• I have worked with numerous township trustees, administrators, and personal on issues in the township over the years, to address issues and concerns and have a good understanding of how the township works.

Now, what would I do if I was elected ...

# 1 Communication--The residents need to know what is going on in our township prior to it happening. The trustees say they are doing all they can “ Facebook, township website, and contacting homeowner Associations, Newsletter”. This is not working. Additional measures need to be taken to allow residents to be aware of issues, and activities. The township website is very hard to use, confusing, and not user friendly.

#2 I will work FOR THE RESIDENTS of Symmes Township. When it comes to a county issue” water rates, sheriff department, fire and ems” Trustees seem to vote in their best interests. When Water rates thru Cincinnati water works came up for a vote to continue a court injunction to stop rate increase, Phil Beck abstained from voting on the issue. He also abstained from voting to appoint Jodi leis as the township representative with the administrator Kim.When the Property maintenance code was in the works, trustees tried to throw all the cases to housing court so they would not be bothered by the complaints.

#3 Run township business like a business. Too many meetings are run “out of control”. People raising their voices, over talking each other, pointing fingers, and passing blame on each other. There needs to be order in meetings to conduct business. No one even the current board president seems to be able to control the meetings at times. In numerous meetings, the trustees seem lost on why money need to be encumbered for projects, why and what is a purchase order. These are simple basics of business. Then they all point fingers at who is to blame. A leader needs to take control of business.

#4 Fiscally responsible. According to Phil’s website he helped to lower levy rates, and bond costs. But nowhere does it talk about the upcoming levy’s for the 2020 ballot. (prob in march election) The road levy is up for renewal, 2 levy’s have passed in the last year, or have been added by the trustees, (the road levy of November 2018, and the $5 license plate tax added in 2017 July) The safety levies ( 2) are up for renewal, and most likely additional by a large amount also in 2020. Just because they take money from other accounts to cover expenses doesn’t mean they are spending in budget. They are overspending, and legally moving monies from one account to another to cover it. To make it seem as in budget.

#5 The property maintenance code is “Dead” according to the trustees. Phil Beck was the big push to start this 5 years ago. We have wasted much time and money to get nowhere. As it has been said many times throughout the process this was not the right way to go. The zoning code, and or ordinances just need to be changed to make better codes for our township.Now Phil is on board according to his “future goals” section of his website. The final proposed revision 9 rev even through all offenses to Hamilton county housing court so the trustees would not have to be bothered by any complaints.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message, and once again I am asking for your support on election day November 5, 2019, so that we can continue, together to make our township, Symmes Township a great place to live and enjoy.