As Jackson Township officials walked out of Township Hall on Monday, they were confident an agreement had been reached that will forever change the economic landscape of the township.

“This is tremendous,” said Trustee Jamie Walters after a Cooperative Economic Development Agreement (CEDA) with the city of Canton was approved. “This agreement is the biggest thing the township has done in decades.”

Under the CEDA, which will not affect any existing businesses, the city and township will create Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDDs) on industrial land throughout the township. Land in those districts will remain in the township but the city will impose a 2-percent income tax on any business that enters. That money will be split evenly between the city and township.

Township trustees will not fight Canton’s annexation of a 22-acre tract of land from Whipple Avenue north of Everhard Road to Mount Pleasant Road. The land consists mainly of a commercial railroad line.

Canton City Council approved the same agreement at its meeting Monday night and formally accepted the 23-acre annexation.

The agreement, according to trustees, secures Jackson’s borders and the income tax revenue collected will take some of the tax burden away from residents, who support the township’s general fund through property taxes.

As part of the agreement, the city of Canton will not be able to annex any township land for a 50-year period without consent of township trustees. However, an out clause was added that allows the city to back out of the agreement after 15 years, only if no money has been collected on any of the JEDDs.

On top of the city of Canton being unable to annex land for 50 years, the annexation blocks the city of North Canton from annexing township land.

Canton will attempt to lure federal development grants that townships are not eligible for to provide infrastructure to the districts. The township will continue to provide services.

“This is about new job creation and a way to shift the tax burden,” Fiscal Officer Randy Gonzalez said.


Opposition


Ann Jones, who was representing the property at 6025 Whipple Ave. N.W., owned by Dan Fosnaught, questioned why the annexed property is being rezoned from industrial use to an Open Space District.

She believes the railroad land will be used by Stark Parks as part of its planned West Branch Trail.

According to the Stark Parks website, the West Branch trail will connect North Canton, Plain Township and Canton. The connection “would utilize the back of a commercial zone along Whipple Avenue and an abandoned rail corridor.”

“To rezone this as open space is an attempt to allow Stark Parks to create a walking path,” Jones said.

Sam Sliman, Canton’s annexation director, said it is standard procedure for the city to zone any railroad property as open space. He also said that since the railroad line in question is operational, the city would not allow a walking path to be built there.

“No one would put a walking path on railroad right-of-way unless they want to lose citizens who are getting run over by a freight train,” he said.

Sliman said Stark Parks officials told him that the path won’t run north of 38th Street, which is south of the area.

Jackson Zoning Inspector Joni Poindexter added the annexation won’t affect any zoning along Whipple Avenue.

Neither Jones nor Fosnaught were convinced that plans do not include a walking path on the railroad line.

“Then why are they changing (the zoning)?” Fosnaught asked. “They’ve been lying the whole time. They’ve been shoving this annexation up everybody’s rears.”

Fosnaught, whose business will remain in Jackson Township, attempted to have his property annexed into the city of North Canton – along with some of the same railroad track property Canton annexed – in January 2009. Both Plain and Jackson township officials filed objections to that annexation.

Two weeks later, the city of Canton filed its annexation, which met no objections.

While the objections held up the North Canton annexation, commissioners voted to approve Canton’s. Fosnaught and the city of North Canton filed a lawsuit against commissioners’ ruling, but that case was recently thrown out by the Ohio Supreme Court.

The only other resident to speak against the plan was Klaus Kuttrus, of 4384 Parkdale N.W., who questioned why the township agreed to Canton’s opt-out clause in the agreement.

“Why did the mayor change the agreement?” Kuttrus asked.

Fiscal Officer Randy Gonzalez explained the clause states that the agreement could be voided and the property de-annexed after 15 years if it didn’t create “one penny” in that time period.

“We have 15 years to collect one penny,” Gonzalez said. “Once we do that, the 50-year agreement is in place.”

“(The clause) didn’t bother us one way or another,” Trustee John Pizzino added.


What’s next


Officials from the township and city have been in negotiations with officials from Stark State College of Technology about creating a JEDD on a parcel of land on the corner of Shuffel Drive and Frank Avenue near the Akron-Canton Airport.

That plan picked up steam in July when the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which owned the land, agreed to sell the 15-acre parcel to the college for $200,000. The deal must still be finalized by the Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio Controlling Board.

If the sale goes through, the college plans to expand its facilities to accommodate an additional 2,500 students.

The remainder of the property, in a joint effort between the school, township and city, will go toward the construction of a high-tech business district capable of supporting production facilities for as many as five companies and the creation of 800 jobs.

Jackson Township trustee John Pizzino said the township is also in discussions with a developer on another large-scale project, though it is still in the early stages.

“This is a large project in addition to the Stark State project,” he said.

Walters said these are just two examples of JEDDs that could come out of the CEDA. He is optimistic that several others will come from it.

“This is forward thinking on a regional scale,” he said. “This is an example of a community working with another community for the betterment of the region.”

James “Jamie” Walters is a running man.

In May, the Jackson Township trustee ran for and won the Republican primary for the Stark County commissioner seat being vacated by Todd Bosley – who is seeking the Ohio 50th District seat.

Now, Walters is running against Democratic candidate Thomas Bernabei in the Nov. 2 general election.

But it’s a different type of running – of the more physical variety – that has added a pep to Walters’ step. In September, while at Jackson North Park with his children, Walters decided to jog.

He was at the age, 38, where he knew he staying physically active was important to his health. Walters remembered the workout routine for Day One of the Couch to 5K program ... jog for a minute then walk for a minute for a total of 20 minutes.

The Couch to 5K program lasts for nine weeks and it gradually builds endurance, ending with a continuous 50 minute run. Walters’ sister and a friend had told him about the program.

“One day I tried it and said, ‘It really wasn’t that bad,”’ Walters said. “I kind of unintentionally, intentionally started running.”

Fast forward nine months and Walters has completed his third 5K. This one, the Jackson Night Glow 5K, was a part of the Community Celebration in mid-June. Walters jokes that he finished first in the “elected officials division” before pointing out that he was the only elected official to run.

“So I guess I finished last at the same time,” he said.

Walters also ran a Thanksgiving Turkey Dash 5K in November and another one in Florida this spring while on vacation.

Now Walters, who swam and played water polo in high school, but admits hated running, plans to be a semi-regular on the 5K circuit. He runs three times a week – which is what the Couch to 5K program requires. After hating running for all these years, Walters now sees it as a way to not only stay in shape, but also as a stress relief.

And with his duties as an account executive at InfoCision, a Jackson Township trustee and the added pressure of a election campaign, running has given Walters a release from his hectic schedule.

“It’s great to be able to do that,” said Walters, who added that he has an application on his iPhone that tells him when it’s time to run and when it’s time to walk. “I put on my headphones and enjoy the physical activity without thinking too much about everything else. It’s a really nice break.”

Walters said he has not committed to any other races at this time, but will likely participate in the Hall of Fame 2-mile run in August and maybe another one prior to the election. Then, Walters said, he would like to compete in one more before the year ends.

Asked if he plans to continue running for the long haul, Walters said, “I hope so.”

“I’ve found that I’ve enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would,” Walters said.

What he has found most enjoyable is the goals that he has met along the way. Each week in the Couch to 5K program, there are new goals that have to be met.

“The key is to have a specific goal and know how you are going to get to that goal,” Walters said. “If you do it (run) somewhat randomly, I don’t think you are going to be consistent.”

Now that he has met his first goal of completing the program and has participated in several races, what’s next?

“I can see a five-mile or a 10K as being a reasonable next goal,” Walters said. “My sister wants me to do a half marathon, but I’m not sure about that at this point. Maybe after I do a five-mile or a 10K I’ll say let’s do it (half marathon). I don’t see the 5Ks as being the end.”

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For more information on the Couch to 5K program, visit www.coolrunning.com or www.c25k.com.

No matter what happens in May, residents will see both Republican commissioner candidates James N. Walters and Dean Windham back on the campaign trail in November.

Walters, a Jackson Township trustee, says that if his opponent wins the primary, he will campaign to get him elected in November. Similarly, Windham, a Hartville-area businessman, said he will lend his support if Walters wins May 4.

Why so cordial? Because, they say, they share similar values and concerns: Both believe the current three commissioners — all Democrats — are not serving the public’s interests and have lost the confidence and trust of the people who elected them. They cite the commissioners’ decision in 2008 to impose a 0.5 percent county sales tax, which voters later overwhelmingly repealed.

“My lifelong desire has not been to be a county commissioner, but there needs to be a change. A different set of priorities,” Walters said. “It’s sad to see that the poor decisions by elected officeholders have put the public in this frame of mind of being so distrustful.”

UNEXPIRED TERM

The candidate who wins the Republican nomination will face Thomas Bernabei, former Canton city service director, law director and councilman, in the November general election for the commissioner seat that former Commissioner Tom Harmon vacated in December. Stephen Todd of Bethlehem Township, who operates Wildcat Ranch, has pulled a petition as an independent candidate, but had not filed as of Friday.

The term for Harmon’s former seat expires in 2013.

RESTORING TRUST

To restore public confidence in county government, Walters said elected officials must demand more accountability. 

He believes officeholders are unwilling to hold other officials accountable due to the “good ol’ boy network” he believes exists among county employees. An example, Walters said, is the ongoing federal and state investigation of a suspected theft involving Treasurer Gary Zeigler’s office. Zeigler is a Democrat.

Walters acknowledges commissioners have limited statutory powers over the treasurer’s office, but he said they still could use their “bully pulpits” to demand accountability.

“(They are so chummy) that no one in power will do something as reasonable as say that the county treasurer should resign,” Walters said.

Until commissioners step up, Walters said, “we are not going to see the public’s confidence return.” 

Windham said commissioners’ showed their lack of leadership when they failed to cut the 2010 budget by 3.5 percent, which was their goal. He said the board’s inaction sends a negative message to residents who must cut back and expect their government to reduce expenses as well.

“(Commissioners) said they wanted 3 percent cuts (from county departments), but OK’d a 2 percent cut,” Windham said. “Basically (you’re) saying you have no backbone here.”

County budget officials said that to reach the desired 3.5 percent budget cut, commissioners would have had to slash the county sheriff’s budget another $310,000, which would have resulted in employee layoffs. Commissioners say they continue to work with elected officials and department heads to streamline operations.

Windham said business owners cannot put off making significant cuts to their operations when they foresee their expenses will exceed revenue in the next couple years.

“Forecasting is not a strong suit of the commissioners,” Windham said, “and when there is the forecast, implementation has been zero.”

Windham believes that commissioners should conduct a performance audit of county operations to measure each department’s efficiency — then implement the audit’s recommendations.

“As a CPA and consultant, we’re used to going into a situation and looking at situations with a third eye,” Windham said. “Any CPA can find the holes ... but if a lack of political will exists to make the changes, then we will be in the same situation two years from now.”

He believes commissioners should explore options to increase the county’s tax base, including ways to keep recent college graduates in Stark County.

If elected commissioner, James N. Walters says his top priority would be to restore credibility to county government. 

A lack of leadership has led to a lack of trust among residents, according to Walters, currently a Jackson Township trustee. 

“County government is a mess and clearly needs a change of direction,” Walters said. 

Republicans Walters and Dean Windham will square off in Tuesday’s primary. The winner will battle former Canton Safety-Services Director Thomas Bernabei in 

November for the unexpired term of former Commissioner Tom Harmon who retired late last year. The term expires Jan. 1, 2013. 

If he loses Tuesday, Walters said he will campaign for Windham. 

“We’ve been campaigning quite a bit together. We are engaging in what we call a friendly primary,” Walters said. “... It would be a win-win situation for me.” 

Attempts to reach Windham for comment were unsuccessful. 

Walters said he has enjoyed his service as a township trustee and only decided to run for commissioner after few expressed an interest in the position last fall. 

According to Walters, the imposition of a .50 percent sales tax – which voters later repealed – and the ongoing theft investigation involving the Treasurer’s Office have caused residents to become distrustful of county government.

Walters also said he would recommend a comprehensive review of each county department to determine areas where costs could be cut. A similar approach helped Jackson Township save roughly $500,000. 

“We need to sit down and look at this line item by line item and start making a priority and determine what we statutorily have to provide,” Walters said. 

The battle between Walters and Windham is one of two highly-visible local races on a relatively light ballot. 

In the other, Republicans Jim Renacci, Matt Miller, Paul Schiffer, Doyle Smith and Kevin M. Kapel are vying for the Republican nomination for the 16th District Congressional seat. The winner will challenge U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, in November. 

Two Western Stark County school districts are asking voters to approve operating levies. 

The Tuslaw Local School District is seeking passage of a 6.7-mill, five-year operating levy. Voters in the Northwest Local School District are seeking operating expenses through a five-year, 1-percent income tax. 

Perry Township voters will be asked to renew a five-year, 2.9 mill fire levy.

Electric aggregation issues are on the ballot in five townships – Lawrence, Tuscarawas, Bethlehem, Perry and Sugar Creek. A similar countywide issue failed last November. Ohio Edison customers in the townships would be enrolled into the aggregation program for the purchase of electricity.

Poll locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters also can vote absentee from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the Board of Elections, 201 Third St. N.E., Canton. 

Roughly 28 percent to 30 percent of Stark County’s registered voters – a figure typical of past elections – are expected to turn out for the primary, according to Jeanette Mullane, director of the county’s Board of Elections. 

Mullane advised voters to bring a form of identification with them and to educate themselves about the issues and candidates before heading to the polls. 

For the first time in several years, voters will have the option of voting for candidates from four minor parties – Constitution, Green, Libertarian and Socialist – due to a recent court settlement, according to Mullane. Several parties filed a lawsuit in 2008 to obtain ballot access. Ballots with minor party candidates will be available upon request, Mullane said. 

Voters who decide to switch party affiliations must declare the change by signing a form issued by poll workers. The process is to ensure voters are given the correct ballot, according to Mullane. 

“We’re seeing people who are switching parties. If a Democrat wants to vote Republican, they will be challenged for party affiliation,” Mullane said.