ACT
I believe in three guiding principles for all elected officials at every level of government:
Accountability
Citizens should expect accountability form both the City Commissioners and all city departments including the police, fire & rescue, public works and licensing/inspection agencies
Communication
City Commissioners need to utilize all available resources in order to fully and effectively communicate local issues, priorities and progress to residents
Transparency
All public issues, including that deemed controversial should be publicly debated at city forums with public input during deliberation unless covered by specific laws such as personnel issues
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ISSUES
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As with many communities across the United States, Springfield, Ohio has its share of issues. Gun violence, affordable housing shortages, displaced families and a very real threat to our drinking water are some of the most important issues facing us today.
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Fortunately, Springfield also has a long history of problem solving by problem solvers.
More importantly, our community has a lot going for us including our impressive park system, the continuing revitalization of our downtown area and citizens who care about the community.
Here, briefly, are a few of what I see as the most pressing issues facing us today and how we can deal with them in the future.​​
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Our
Water
One of the most crucial and fundamental issues we face as a community is the protection of our most valuable natural resource: our drinking water.
Most people in Clark County have heard of the Tremont Barrel Fill.
This designated Superfund site, had fifty-one thousand, five hundred, metal barrels of various hazardous chemicals buried in the ground in the 1970's. The site's close proximity to the Village of Tremont City is how the name originated but the hazardous materials were deposited by a wide variety of companies.
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Many people mistakenly believe this is a problem outside of the City of Springfield.
However, the unprotected area where these barrels were placed is over the aquifer where surrounding residents and the City of Springfield get their drinking water!
After nearly fifty years these barrels are starting to leak. If the hazardous materials reach the aquifer it would be disastrous for our entire community.
Affordable Housing
What might work?
I have been working with local environmental groups, public officials, and Ohio/USEPA agencies for over four decades negotiate a remediation project, which will begin in 2026.
I want to continue to push this project forward and see our aquifer (one of the few remaining untainted aquifers in the USA) protected for our children and grandchildren.
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Please visit www.peopleforsafewater.org for more information.
We WILL get this done.
What might work?
We must look at all options to address this issue including:
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Building more affordable apartments and houses to rent,
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Creating smaller, easy to assemble "mini houses",
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Remodeling unused/vacant properties.
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Land is available NOW in Springfield with city services in place to accommodate this.
Several parcels of land previously occupied by school buildings have already been utilized for this purpose. The area where Lagonda school was located (Route 4) is a prime example of where future lower cost housing can be accomplished.
I'd like to know what you think!
To share your thoughts, opinions, and ideas, please email Larry directly at:
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