Greene County Commissioner
Susan Lopez (D) |
Dick Gould (R) |
Bio: Raised in Greene County; at age 16 my father passed away; soon after I started working at Wright-Patterson AFB 20 hours a week through the remainder of high school and first two years of college. After college I began working full time, married and obtained my bachelor’s degree. My husband and I have two wonderful children. I am currently Director of a nonprofit family resource center, small business owner, and previous eight-year award recipient county employee. I’m very active on county committees and service organizations. I have 20 years experience in social sciences—needed on Commission; military family; named Top 25 Women to Watch 2018 in Miami Valley; Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences; and hold other certifications. Active chamber member and community volunteer. Some committees which I serve: • Greene County Family Services Planning Committee (FSPC) member - Job & Family Services Department since for 11 years • Greene County FSPC member - Children’s Services 5 years • Partnerships for Success adult advisor 14 years, youth-led leadership group • Advisory group member with Greene County Career Center, Satellite Teachers. Currently working on a bi-partisan project concerning Human Trafficking; Education, Prevention and Recovery in Greene County. This has links to our current drug epidemic. |
No response. |
What will be the top priorities for your term? 1) We are anticipating two multi-million-dollar projects, for infrastructure improvements and major jail restoration or rebuilding. Simultaneously our county systems and agencies are overburdened due to the drug epidemic. There must be a holistic and bold approach taken to meet these challenges without overburdening the taxpayer. I plan to evaluate commissioners’ spending priorities in a transparent and collaborative manner. I will work to identify innovative, cost-effective solutions that serve the most citizens and communities possible in a coherent and inclusive way. I vow to better balance budget decisions to include measures that serve the most people possible. 2)Protecting our lands: The County Board of Commissioners must push harder against annexation efforts from other counties and press for state legislation that protects our townships while allowing citizens to keep the rights they hold dear. 3) Making county government more transparent and accessible to every citizen; making information easier to understand and allow citizens more time to provide input. I would add quarterly morning or evening meetings to allow citizens a greater opportunity to share input or concerns in decisions that affect their community and how their county tax dollars are allocated. Find out more at ELECTLOPEZ.ORG |
No response. |
How do you plan to support and/or promote local businesses? People come into an area that is aesthetically pleasing, has a variety or unique dining, shopping or entertainment opportunities. Families gather at places providing space for people of all ages. We must emphasize how Greene County is the best place to come, which will provide economic support and development for our local businesses. Our chambers and local municipalities are promoting and growing local business. Fairborn recently opened a business incubator, “Spark,” an innovative avenue for new business development. I support the addition of more business incubators in Greene County. I also support adding a Small Business Development Center, once an integral part of our educational system and business development; cut due to budget issues. Our cities, townships and villages consistently hold events in parks/downtowns to draw citizens together and attract visitors. These bring people into a focused area in Greene County which increases traffic to area businesses. I will support and promote our businesses and endorse actively utilizing social media. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), media and chambers are imperative in promoting the county, events and local business. I would encourage each business community to meet with the CVB and their local chamber to work collaboratively. |
No response. |
What can the county commissioners do to bring more jobs to the county? We need to implement a smart growth strategy which brings jobs into our community that provide citizens a livable wage. I will work for a strategy that helps our rural communities achieve development and growth while maintaining Greene County’s distinct rural character. Businesses come to places they see as thriving with a healthy community for families. We must look at supporting cities and townships in having what they need to be a community business wants to be included. We must concentrate on education achievement and Workforce Development to assure our county has a steady stream of trained people to fill existing jobs. I will combine efforts with our existing educational system to push forth and meet these needs. The county's Department of Development has indicated the need for an additional position. I would evaluate this need along with our Townships request for a grant writer. I vow to work finding ways of remaking economic development to bring jobs into our area and keep our existing businesses viable. Working on a long-range plan that involves sustainability -- that involves engaging our youth, so they stay in our area, and a plan devoted to improving services and systems that support growth. |
No response. |