To the Editors:

I am writing because I believe that students are an important part of the Oberlin community. For nearly a year my wife and I have had plans to be in Florence, Italy this fall. In spite of those plans, I decided to run for city council to assure that voters had real choices on election day. As a candidate I wanted the Review to have some information about me and my position on some of the major issues facing the city.

• 1995-present – President of the Oberlin Civic Improvement Corporation
• (OCIC) promotes the city’s industrial and commercial development.
• 1991-1993 - Participated in the Mid-Range Strategic Planning Process. Member of the Financial/Economic Development Task Force
• 1982-94 - Member and Chair of the Oberlin Public Utilities Commission
• 1989 - Chair of “Save the Roundhouse Committee”
• 1973-79 - Member of Oberlin City Council; Chair in 1979
• 1965-93 - Government teacher, Steele High School, Amherst
  
  Oberlin is in the midst of major development pressure, both commercial and residential. We must have policies and their supporting ordinances that encourage traditional and mixed-use development, the East College Street Project, for example. We should eliminate zoning that promotes sprawl with its strip malls and turnpike wide streets, it’s good for fast cars but bad for dogs, cats and little kids. We should be a town of walking neighborhoods and rectilinear streets (eliminating sidewalks takes the neighbor out of neighborhood and cul-de-sacs isolate people and don’t go anywhere).
  
  Open space is best in public parks rather than lawns that householders must mow. Oberlin would realize a continuing bonus from denser development because our infra-structure costs would be a lot less. Our streets and sidewalks, our water and sewer lines, even our electric power lines would be shorter and cheaper. The money saved is much better used for our libraries, parks, recreation programs and schools.
  
  Oberlin should amend its sustainability ordinance to include a goal of carbon neutrality. In September, Council on first reading adopted a green building policy. It is inappropriate for council, on the very same evening, to vote participation in the AMPGS coal power station, a CO2 emissions giant. AMP Ohio has served Oberlin very well over the years. We should make every effort to continue this relationship while seriously exploring green energy alternatives with the College.
  
  Improve the inter-personal relations of council. Members should respect the opinions of others, they can disagree without being disagreeable.
  
  
  –John (Jack) F. Baumann