One Democratic challenger running for otherwise all-Republican Newark City Council
NEWARK − Bill Cost is the only hope for Democrats to break through the Republican stranglehold on Newark City Council and, indeed, all of city government.
Cost, who served on council from 2012 to 2019, lost in the 2019 and 2021 elections for a council at-large seat. Republicans have won the past 12 council races covering the past two city elections, including all eight in 2021, and occupy every council seat.
Republicans Spencer Barker, Dustin Neely and Brad Chute join Cost in the election of three council at-large members. All three Republicans started on council following party appointments.
Barker, originally appointed to replace Mark Fraizer in January 2020, defeated Cost and independent Daniel Crawford in the 2021 election to complete Fraizer's unexpired term. (Crawford is now running for mayor as a write-in candidate.)
Republicans appointed Chute in May to fill the at-large vacancy created when Cheri Hottinger left council for a state position.
Neely, already a candidate for the at-large seat, received the party appointment in August to succeed Jeff Harris, who became council president.
Prior to Republicans sweeping the past two council elections, Newark voters spread their support almost evenly, with Democrats winning 19 races and Republicans winning 20 races from 2005-2017. After the 2015 election, council's regular voting members were split 5-5.
Since Democrat Bruce Bain won the mayoral election in 2003, Republicans have won all 17 elections for mayor, auditor, treasurer and law director, often with no Democratic opposition.
The Advocate sent questionnaires to the four at-large candidates. Their answers follow.
Who's running for Newark City Council?
Spencer Barker
Age: 32
Occupation: Real estate analyst at MPW Industrial Services, Hebron
Experience: Appointed at-large council member in November 2019 and won election in 2021. Led creation of city’s Newark Digital Meeting Platform still used by council. Spearheaded revision of city’s noise ordinance. Supported all equipment and personnel needs of police and fire departments. Active member of council’s Finance, Service, Personnel and Economic Development committees.
Brad Chute
Age: 43
Occupation: Funeral director at Vensil and Chute Funeral Homes
Experience: Appointed in May to fill vacant council at-large seat. Local business and community involvement for 20 years. Nonprofit/association leadership. Member of Newark Rotary Club.
Bill Cost
Age: 68
Occupation: Professional photographer at Bill Cost Jr. Photography
Experience: Business owner of Bill Cost Jr. Photography since 1976. Council member for two terms, 2012-2019. Member of Licking County Transit Board, 2020-2022. Member of Licking County Coalition for Housing, 2020-2022. Member of Licking County Chamber of Commerce Member of Newark Rotary Club.
Dustin Neely
Age: 42
Occupation: Independent insurance adviser at Otto Insurance Group
Experience: Appointed in August to fill vacant council at-large seat. Awarded Colonel Thomas Rice Leadership Award, given to one sergeant at the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in 2016. Named one of The Advocate’s 20 Under 40 honorees in 2020. Member of the Licking County Republican Party’s Executive Committee since 2021.
Question: What should the city do to capitalize on Intel and other developments coming to western Licking County?
Barker: Exactly what we are doing: working with developers who have interest in Newark to grow our community in a smart way. If we are able to meet with them early in their process, we are able to effectively communicate the needs of the city and citizens.
Chute: Newark should continue to invest in our city infrastructure; invest in our human capital, particularly our city safety and service employees; and continue to encourage the expansion of housing options, retail, food and entertainment. I want Newark to continue to be the premier destination in Licking County. I believe in doing so we can enrich the quality of life for all of our citizens.
Cost: Newark needs to be sure that we are ready to provide whatever is necessary to assure success for these new development — a well-trained work force, good schools, affordable housing, infrastructure in good condition — and let them see that we are ready to work with the county and each of the private corporations. This growth will bring many challenges and many opportunities for Newark and the entire county.
Neely: In preparing for the population influx coming our way as a result of Intel and other businesses coming to the area, we need to be sure Newark is a desirable place to live and has the infrastructure to support a growing population. For many individuals and families coming to the area, I feel Newark is either going to be the place they want to live or the place they have to live. We need to ensure Newark is the place they want to live. One of the keys to focus on to ensure this occurs is to increase our safety forces and reduce the already increased crime rates in the city.
Q: In response to the severe housing shortage in central Ohio and Licking County, do you want to see more single-family housing, condos or apartments built in Newark? Why or why not?
Barker: Newark is pretty well landlocked. We do not have the available land for all the housing we may need. I do think we need to review our density for housing projects. The two new housing projects in Newark — Connor’s Pass and The Overlook — seem to be successful, while there are two apartment complex projects struggling to get off the ground. Costs of building materials are a huge factor in making apartment complexes work financially. I believe Newark is in need of additional condos for empty nesters that could make way for single-family homes to become available.
Chute: I believe we need an “all-of-the-above” approach to housing. We should encourage thoughtful development of all types of housing in Newark.
Cost: When we say, “affordable housing,” we need to realize that the next question is “affordable to whom?” Newark is in great need for low- and medium-income housing, both single-family houses and apartments. These housing developments will probably need to be subsidized. In addition, I'm sure there will be a demand for houses and condos for those with a higher income bracket not only in Newark but countywide as well.
Neely: I would like to see the focus on building more single-family homes and condos in the city to encourage home ownership. About 55% of properties in Newark are rental properties. I feel this high level of rental properties in our city can create issues when it comes to income tax collection on new individuals in the city who aren’t the owners of the dwelling they inhabit and also the maintenance and upkeep of the properties. I also feel the increase in workers that are going to be moving to the area will be looking for homes for their families, and we need to be a market for them to consider.
Q: What should be done about the homeless population in Newark? Where should they go? Should they be arrested for trespassing? Are you in favor of building a low-barrier shelter?
Barker: The homeless population is the No. 2 issue I hear about from constituents. I am not in favor of building a low-barrier shelter. It is important to remember this is not just a city issue to solve. As the county seat, we are the mecca to county services. There are homeless people that want to be and some that do not want it and are working to get out of the situation. What I have seen residents mostly experience are instances where the homeless are destroying property or sleeping on private property. A property owner has the right to do with their property what they wish within their appropriate zoning. How can this be fixed? That’s the million-dollar question. Different organizations would need to be willing to come together and fill the cracks in our systems people fall into when they become homeless and are trying to get help. No single person has the answer. Homelessness isn’t just a Newark problem; it is an everywhere problem.
Chute: The homeless issue in Newark is a complex issue that has a variety of implications for our community. There is not one specific cause of homelessness, so it follows there will not be one specific remedy. I suspect the solution will be a multi-faceted community effort and will involve public/private partnerships. With respect to trespassing, I believe all Newark citizens have a responsibility to follow the law. If anyone is trespassing on private property, they should be subject to arrest. I am not opposed to a low-barrier shelter as part of a comprehensive plan to address homelessness. I do not believe that providing low-barrier shelters alone will sufficiently address the issue.
Cost: Newark has a serious homeless problem. In some cases, these people have drug and alcohol issues and have dealt with incarceration. Others find themselves homeless simply because they lost their job or their rent has gone up suddenly and they have no additional funds. The city needs to continue to work with the various social service agencies of our community and strive to achieve finding homes for our citizens in need. If there are crimes being committed by the homeless, then there needs to be prosecution. All Newark citizens have the right to feel safe. Low-barrier housing has been discussed, and there would need to be a way of funding such a project, either through additional tax levies or government subsidies.
Neely: The homeless situation in Newark is a multi-faceted and difficult issue to address, as individuals in this population suffer from different and unique issues or difficulties, and each individual needs different levels and types of assistance to become self-sufficient. I believe the key to improving our homeless situation will be through public and private partnerships that address the issue through program-based interventions. I feel when it comes to the issue of trespassing, a homeless individual should be treated as any other person in our city under that law. I am not opposed to shelters, but I believe they should be intensively program based, so they are not simply enabling the individuals to continue detrimental behaviors but assisting them to address behaviors and circumstances preventing them from becoming self-sufficient. We must be careful not to simply make it easier for a person to continue on a path that could ultimately lead to increased adversities.
Q: What abilities or experience make you the best candidate?
Barker: I’ve been on city council since I was sworn into office on Nov. 22, 2019. In that time, council members have changed, and challenges have been thrown at myself in terms of working through a pandemic, two union negotiations and staffing issues. We’ve worked with departments to overcome all those challenges, but the staffing is still ongoing. I want to continue my work with city departments to work on creative ways to grow our police and fire forces but also not neglect fiscal responsibility. My experience serving on council and working with the administration these past four years has me primed to continue the work I have been doing for all citizens of Newark.
Chute: I have had the great good fortune to grow up in this community. From an early age, my parents, mentors and faith taught me “to whom much is given, much is required.” An attitude of servant leadership, coupled with my business experience and community involvement, give me valuable perspective as a member of city council. I do not approach this position with any preconceived notions or personal agenda. I simply believe that if you are able to give back and serve your community, you should.
Cost: For the past 47 years, I have served the citizens of Newark with honesty and integrity as both a local business owner and for eight years as a member of “Your Newark City Council.” You know me. You know that I am always going to vote in the best interest of the citizens of Newark. And now I'm asking for your vote.
Neely: I believe my background offers a unique mixture of education and experience. As a state trooper, investigator, sergeant and command-level leader in the Ohio State Highway Patrol, I was forced to make difficult decisions, under stressful conditions, with limited information. This created in me the ability to examine complex situations to come to a conclusion and make a decision. To achieve my educational accomplishments, I had to perform much scholarly research. This experience provides me the ability to deeply research complex issues facing the city to see what other communities have done or are doing to alleviate certain issues or to achieve particular objectives.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark City Council election 2023: 1 Democrat, 3 Republicans seek 3 seats
