As Election Day draws closer, voters in the 2nd Ward will be asked to decide between incumbent Michael McCauley, Democrat, and former councilman Randall Wilson, Republican. Ward 2 includes the downtown area, Marietta College, Frontier Shopping Center, much of Glendale and Colonial Terrace. Call the Board of Elections at 374-6828 if you are not sure in which ward you reside.
Question: Give a few details about yourself and your philosophy of 2nd Ward councilman.
Randy Wilson: I have lived in the Mid-Ohio Valley my entire life. I graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I have worked in various small businesses in the Marietta area. I served on council for two years and would like to return serving the citizens of Marietta.
I think the next council will face several challenges in the coming year. We must be able to provide many of the same services with less money. We will have to do what most households are doing which is doing more with less. We must become better at assisting new business that would like to relocate to the Marietta area. I also think we should coordinate construction to minimize and help alleviate problems.
Mike McCauley: I am the fourth generation of my family to reside and work in Marietta. I am a graduate of both Marietta High School and Marietta College and served four years in the U.S. Air Force, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. I retired from the Marietta City Police Department with the rank of sergeant after 23 years and then taught social studies at Marietta High School 17 years. I have served 10 years on Marietta City Council.
As 2nd Ward councilman I strive to serve the needs of my constituents while working cooperatively with my fellow council members and city administrators to develop a strong, progressive, and fiscally sound community.
Fact Box
The Marietta/Washington County League of Women Voters encourages each voter to continue to read and listen to the candidates and issues to be ready for Election Day Nov. 8. We invite you to attend "City Candidates' Night at the Gallery" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Riverside Artists Gallery, 219 Second St., Marietta.
Q.: The residents on Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets have concerns with parking due to the college students and events. What ideas do you have to ease the parking problems in these neighborhoods?
Mike McCauley: In response to neighborhood concerns regarding the parking of Marietta College staff and students in front of residents' homes a committee of affected citizens was organized, a petition was circulated, and a comprehensive plan to address the issue was presented to the streets committee. Public committee meetings were held, but no consensus was reached. I would endorse any resolution that does not adversely impact the historically positive town/gown relationship.
Randy Wilson: I think we need to work with Marietta College on the issue. Since I live in this area, I have noticed that the problem does not exist during the summer months or when Marietta College is not in session. I think we should talk with the college and have them encourage the staff and students to park in the college owned lots. Marietta College is doing some construction at the present time and hopefully talks with the administration about incorporating more parking on their campus would help.
Q.: Would you like to see the city development department take a more active role in the redevelopment of Marietta's downtown historic buildings? If so, how?
Randy Wilson: I think the development department should be more active in the redevelopment of the downtown business district. I think they should work with ReStore Marietta and identify needs of the business district and try to recruit business to fill those needs. The development department should offer guidelines in order to keep the historical significant value of the building. I do not want to see City Council pass regulations. I think the less restrictive we are, the more business might relocate to downtown. We do not want to hinder growth in our city.
Mike McCauley: In terms of preserving historic downtown Marietta I would support a comprehensive study of the feasibility of requiring fire alarms and sprinkler systems in commercial buildings. I would like to see the development department work more closely with downtown merchants and deliver on projects.
Q.: Describe a bill or project you would author and/or support during your term as council member and why.
Mike McCauley: As current chairman of the water and sewer committee, I introduced legislation resulting in an inter-governmental agreement with Washington County commissioners for the city to accept sewage from Oak Grove, Reno, and Devola. This legislation was needed in order to start the much-needed renovation of the water treatment plant. I will continue to work on this important project and all other council matters in a way which fairly impacts all citizens of Marietta and in an open and honest manner with a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
Randy Wilson: At the present time, the only one I would like to see moving is the armory square project. We have some funds to start the renovations, but I don't want us to wait and lose funds because we want more. It would be great to get additional monies, but not if we are in jeopardy of losing the funds we have already acquired. I think we must work with the new administration on their top projects. I would hope that we could make some of legislation less complicated for the general public. I feel that one might be to revamp the sign legislation what we currently have.
The Marietta/Washington County League of Women Voters encourages each voter to continue to read and listen to the candidates and issues to be ready for Election Day Nov. 8. We invite you to attend "City Candidates' Night at the Gallery" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Riverside Artists Gallery, 219 Second St., Marietta.
Article submitted by Betsy Cook, a member of the Marietta/Washington County League of Women Voters. The mission of the League of Women Voters is to "encourage informed and active participation in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy." To achieve our mission, the Marietta/Washington County League of Women Voters is planning a column periodically to educate voters as they prepare to vote on Nov. 8. The information will be nonpartisan and cover a variety of topics. Please remember that the League of Women Voters is open to both men and women so if you are interested in joining, call Caroline Putnam at 373-4510.
