May 3, 2007

By Virgil Hervey

There will be three items for villagers to consider on the ballot at the May 8 primary election, two school levies and a Republican Party primary contest for a Xenia Municipal Court judgeship.

Any registered voter may vote in the Republican primary, according to Greene County Board of Elections Director Tracy Smith. However, non-Republicans will need to change party affiliation at the polls, and change their affiliation back at the next primary, which will be the presidential primary in the spring of 2008.

Issue 4: Yellow Springs schools

This is a Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District emergency levy renewal at 9.4 mills for three years, commencing in 2007 and first due in 2008.

A vote for the renewal levy will not raise property taxes. The emergency levy was first passed in 1999 for 10.4 mills and passed again in 2003 for 10.1 mills. Due to property reappraisals, it will be on the May 8 ballot for 9.4 mills.

The 9.4 mill levy would provide the school district $1,060,000, or 15 percent of its total revenue, an amount which equals the salaries and benefits of 14 teachers, or 25 percent of the teaching staff.

Issue 5: Greene County Career Center
This is a Greene County Vocational School District general permanent improvements replacement levy at 0.75 mill for five years, commencing in 2007 and first due in 2008.

This replacement levy replaces the levy that expired in December 2006. According to a fact sheet issued by the Greene County Career Center, the district has not received an increase in property taxes since 1996.

The replacement levy cannot be used for general operation of the district or the salaries and benefits of employees. The funds may only be spent on renovations, construction, technology and equipment. According to the Career Center, the Ohio School Facilities Commission recommended the following improvements: replace the septic system; replace the roof; replace HVAC and ventilation system; upgrade/unify the fire alarm system; install a security system; upgrade technology; replace obsolete room thermostats; replace classroom windows, entry doors and lab overhead doors; and upgrade the plumbing and fixtures. The total needed for the repairs and renovations is $11,784,000.

Xenia Municipal Court
In a Republican primary contest, incumbent Xenia Municipal Court Judge Susan Goldie is looking to retain her 11-year seat at the bench against a challenge from Bellbrook lawyer Michael Murry.

According to Goldie’s campaign literature, she has been endorsed by Greene County Sheriff Gene Fisher, Prosecutor Stephen Haller, Clerk of Court Terri Mazur and Treasurer James Schmidt.

Murry has served as an acting Xenia Municipal Court Judge and an arbitrator for the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. According to Murry, he is a lifelong resident of Greene County, who has been in the private practice of law for 23 years. His law office is in Dayton. He has been endorsed by the Dayton Daily News.

Xenia Municipal Court serves Yellow Springs, Cedarville, Jamestown, Clifton, Xenia, Bellbrook, Sugarcreek Township, Xenia Township, Miami Township, New Jasper Township, Silvercreek Township, and Caesarcreek Township.

Contact: vhervey@ysnews.com