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<< Front page Commentary October 31, 2003
 
Choose Soucy and Haverstock

To the Editors:

The city council elections are just around the corner on November fourth, and this election is exceptional, because of the record number of candidates. With this incredible enthusiasm from the community, great improvements can be made in Oberlin, so it’s crucial that students registered to vote in Oberlin make an informed decision this election day.

With this in mind, candidates were asked about their views on the town’s energy policy. Two of the most environmentally friendly and energy conscious are Sharon Fairchild Soucy and Nathan A. Haverstock. Two of the major environmental issues that the city council has power over are building codes and tax incentives for energy efficiency. When asked if she would support a ‘green’ building code, Soucy replied that she considered herself an “environmentalist” and “strongly supported green initiatives.”

Soucy is also “concerned with the proliferation of cars among college students” and destruction of green spaces in Oberlin. She hopes to work on a “joint student-town initiative to reduce the number of student cars,” aiming to cut half of the planned parking areas of the new dorms.

Haverstock is also a staunch environmentalist. He is a member of the South Side Association, a community group representing residents in the southern half of town, whose past actions include the creation of a healthier, local-food based menu at Splash Zone. He actively supports a ‘green’ building code. Both Soucy and Haverstock are interested in subsidies and tax incentives for energy efficiency measures.

When asked if they would be willing to work to address issues of poverty in Oberlin with regards to energy use, for low-income families spend 15 percent to 20 percent of their income on energy expenses while the average income family spends 5 percent, both Soucy and Haverstock mentioned that some policies already exist to help low income families pay their bills. However, both are interested in providing more aid, specifically through energy efficiency improvements. This policy would reduce the actual bill instead of levying a fee on middle and upper income users.

The success of downtown businesses is another major issue for the city. Retention of small businesses downtown is a high priority for both candidates. Haverstock plans to “promote assets” like Splash Zone, the Arboretum and the bike path, bringing outsiders into town and more money into the economy.

Soucy wants to “hire an economic development officer” to aid in the retention of small businesses as well as “guide the control of large outside businesses such as the Wal-Mart” that are interesting in developing here. On the issue of new dorm construction, which will move 150 students from town housing to dorms and have a powerful effect on the local housing market, Soucy and Haverstock understand the desire of the college to build more housing, but think the college could be more sensitive to the effects of its actions on local tax revenues.

Soucy says that many town members feel their welfare was disregarded and that the college is “steamrolling the community.”

Haverstock agreed and also stressed that improvements need to be made in many homes before they can re-enter the market. Haverstock noted that bed and breakfasts like the Ivy Tree have been successful ventures, so converting more of these houses into commercial buildings could be economically successful.

Haverstock and Soucy both have a love of Oberlin and a desire to improve it. Both are concerned with supporting small businesses, improving college-community relations and most of all, both have a strong commitment to the environment and energy efficiency, all which are important issues in the city council elections on Nov. 4.

–Ellen Kunz
College sophomore