by Laura Freeman

Reporter

Hudson -- Candidates in Ward 4 agree the city needs to address road and safety problems but disagree on recent staff cuts.

Jim Jeffries is challenging incumbent John Jeffers to represent Ward 4 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Jeffers, 71, a retired trial attorney who specialized in medical malpractice, has lived on Olde Tannery Circle with his wife, Theresa, for 10 years. He has served on Council since August 2003, the longest of any member.

Jeffries, 33, of Lakedge Court is an insurance agent who has lived in Hudson for 16 years and is married to Rebecca. He has not had previous political experience but said he is running for office to give back to the community.

Jeffers said he would provide continuity in Hudson government, having already served four years on Council. Because he is retired, he said he can devote more time to Council.

"It takes two years to come to an appropriate level of comprehension of what this job entails," Jeffers said.

"I think I have something to contribute in my wealth of knowledge, dedication to my country and activities," said Jeffers, a former U. S. Marine captain.

As a trial lawyer, Jeffers said his analytical thinking allows him to solve problems promptly.

"I understand the legal ramifications which occur in Council, which others don't," Jeffers said.

Jeffries said his diverse experience conducting orchestras and conducting opera companies has taught him to multi-task, delegate responsibilities and work with others.

Jeffries, who belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Leadership Hudson and other organizations, said he isn't running as a representative for those groups.

"I have a special interest in Hudson succeeding," Jeffries said. "I don't operate with an agenda. I go in with an open mind."

Jeffries said the roads are falling apart in Ward 4. Previous taxpayers voted to increase taxes to generate revenue to fix infrastructure so funds should be spent on streets and storm water with a city engineer overseeing the work.

Jeffers agreed that roads need improvement. He said the road systems were put in improperly before the city merged, but they've improved while he's been on Council with money from cost savings and tax dollars.

Along the lines of safety, the candidates agree that the city needs to install a traffic light at the intersection of Stow and Middleton roads, where Ellsworth Hill School opened this fall.

"It's an accident waiting to happen," Jeffries said.

Candidates weigh in on budget issues

Jeffers and Jeffries have different opinions on how Council has managed the city's money. Jeffries does not think the city should have eliminated the positions of economic development director, assistant finance director and others that it has cut in the past two years.

"The current Council ran on fiscal responsibility but couldn't find a white elephant to fix," Jeffries said. "Instead of spending money on infrastructure, they cut back on economic development and city staff. It was the wrong time and wrong positions [to eliminate] when there is so much work on the table."

Jeffers has supported those cuts the last two years, but said his record illustrates a practical example by voting to spend money on safety forces, police, fire and EMS.

"I want to know I have an EMS squad that will be proficient and available to me," Jeffers said. "When it comes to economics, to me, the safety aspect trumps the economic costs if it's a reasonable and worthwhile project by safety forces."

Jeffers said the projected budget anticipates more revenue than originally projected, which can be used for problems with infrastructure and the sewer system.

"Hudson is financially sound and has a reserve fund if a large employer leaves the city," Jeffers said. "You have to have money to continue the city."

E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150