3 state rep candidates give their views during Candidates Night

Three men vying for the Republican seat on the November ballot in the 88th District of the Ohio House of Representatives answered a variety of questions from the public Thursday during Candidates Night sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Seneca County Young Professionals. Regarding experience, candidate Ed Ollom, of Fremont, said he's not a career politician. "I am just an engineer," he said. "There's a solution for every problems and often those answers come from science." Shayne Thomas, of Tiffin, said his service as a county commissioner is a good training ground for serving as a state representative. He said he's already familiar with many issues he would face at the state level at the county level, and 20 years working in the private sector in banking and operating a business has prepared him for the job. "I'm also a product of the district," he said. Gary Click, of Fremont, listed his endorsements as qualification and said, "If you don't like Jim Jordan, you're not going to like me." "My experience as a pastor goes directly to the heart of people," Click said. Regarding energy issues, Thomas said all forms are needed right now — coal, nuclear, natural gas — but he sees renewable energy forms for the future. He said nuclear energy eventually will have to be replaced. "The bridge to that will be natural gas," he said. Thomas said he's in favor of House Bill 401, which would give township residents an option for a referendum vote on wind turbine projects. Ollom said energy is his area of expertise, and he opposes wind turbines because they're inefficient. "The answer is natural gas," he said. "Natural gas is renewable energy as long as we have vegetation to die and decay." If he's elected, he said he's likely to be appointed to energy-related committees because those are his areas of expertise. Regarding the Davis Besse bailout, Click said he supported the bailout because the energy grid is dependent on the nuclear plant. Ollom and Thomas said they also were in favor of it. In response to a question about wind turbine setbacks, Ollom said," We should increase the setbacks to meet or exceed manfacturer recommendations and industry standards." Thomas said setbacks were modified by state legislature in 2014 without benefit of hearings on the matter, and he has been part of conversations in Columbus about setbacks being changed, depending on turbine heights. He said technology is producing taller structures. "It was an unintended consequence of the legislation," he said. Click said setbacks should exeed manufacturer's recommendations, and he didn't want projectiles flying onto people's property. "The best setback would be Indiana," he said. All three candidates said they supported House Bill 401. "Local control is going to be an important way for us to deal with these projects going forward," Thomas said. "You deserve to have a voice," Click said. Another question asked about the candidates stance on accepting out-of-state waste, referring the train loads of waste that are transported to Sunny Farms Landfill from New York. Click said, "Why would we want to take New York's trash when they don't want their own trash." He said the waste has caused harm and sickness and odor, and a grassroots organization has been effective in promoting change. Ollom said he opposed out-of-state waste. "It's a topic that should have been handled in advance through a permit process," he said. Thomas said he personally does not agree with accepting out-of-state waste, but he's learned as a county commissioner that current interstate commerce laws allow it. "Interstate commerce isn't allowed to be limited and it falls under that clause," he said. "I can't wish it away." He said the law would need to be changed to changed the circumstances. Regarding the size of the state's "rainy day fund," all three candidates agreed it's too large. During redistricting, all three candidates said Sandusky and Seneca counites should remain in the same district because of joint projects. In conclusion, Thomas said voters should choose him because his experience makes him well-qualified to be a state representative. "I'm the right person for the job," he said. "I'm a fighter that will take our values and fight for them in Columbus. I've stood up to the establishment in Columbus before and I'll do it again." Click reminded the audience of endorsements to conclude his comments. "My life's goal is to make a difference," he said. "As your next state representative, I want to be able to look you in the eye." Ollom said he's proud to the "outside candidate," and he's willing to take a pay cut to become state representative. He said he didn't ask for endorsements, but has "an outouring of support" among emergency services personnel. He said he's a humble man and wants to use his qualifications to make a contribution to the community.