Council candidates see new jobs as the big issue

New jobs and a climate that attracts industry were the main themes from Bellevue City Council candidates at “Meet Your Bellevue Candidates” this week at the Bellevue Society for the Arts. The BSA, Bellevue Kiwanis and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce sponsored the forum, which drew 40 to 50 people. Three of the four at-large candidates spoke.

Incumbent Sherrard Barr, a former city fire chief, said that in March 2010 the city faced a budget balance of $30,000. “We cut the budget and negotiated contracts,” he said. “We ended the year with a million dollars.” He said Bellevue has great logistics and needs to market itself and fix its streets. He also noted council chose to keep the municipal court rather than fold it into Sandusky County’s system. “I am always available to the people,” he said.

Ronald Smith, a longtime volunteer on local boards, called for open communication with residents and for council to put “aside partisanship and any personal agendas.” He said the goal is to “create an atmosphere that will attract business and industry” and a safer environment for children. John E. Miller said he bought a business in 1981 and moved it to Bellevue three years later. Now retired, he has bought the downtown Wolfe Building to restore it.

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