GREG DELEV WILL FIGHT FOR ANDERSON

By Gregory D "Greg" Delev

ANDERSON NEEDS LEADERSHIP

My mother's family goes back over 220 years in the Greater Anderson community, with ancestors serving in every conflict since the American Revolution.

My father impressed upon me from an early age how fortunate we are to live in the greatest nation that ever existed, but he also reminded me that freedom did not come without a price. He taught me that the genius of our nation was balancing between unlimited personal and economic/ business freedom (chaos) and unlimited government control (order). As he grew older he feared the neverending growth of government as a danger to that balance.

While many have concern over federal and state government's growth and arrogance at the national level, this is also a local issue. Anderson Township and our community now face a township government that has also become increasingly arrogant, when it should be humble before the taxpayers.

In recent years we have seen our trustees imitate the federal recklessness, by spending more than $30 million of taxpayer money (tax-increment financing, which is still taxpayer money) on a Town Center that is nothing but a shrine to government. While they boast that this palace built on the backs of Anderson taxpayers will generate income, they have lost sight of the fact government is not in the business of making money and rarely succeeds in doing so. They have wasted money on a "Parking Garage to Nowhere" and we have yet to see the rebirth of the Beechmont Mall.

Meanwhile they have invested in questionable expenditures on Five Mile, including a continuous unproven left turn lane. And by placing the spouse of a trustee on the Board of Zoning Appeals, they have created at least the appearance of impropriety, if not an actual violation of the law. They have failed to address the impact of losing River Downs or the potential impact of Las Vegas casino-style gambling at River Downs. Now they talk of forming our own police force.

It's time for some common sense.

I have been leading the way for less government. Many times I have stood up for what I believe in, and have called into question the actions of elected officials regardless of the consequences. I served as the attorney to the Save Our Skins effort to keep Anderson High School's team name and represented a Native American Anderson High School student who was denied the right to be the Anderson Redskin mascot. I have been outspoken on government growth and spending and organized the first TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties several years ago, which planted seeds for the anti-tax protests that are now making national headlines. I stood up to the Township when they had a crazy idea to build a firehouse and Birney & Salem.

I have been active in the Republican Party and state-government and have worked in State Government as a constituent aide; I served on several Township committees and served as a commissioned Infantry Officer in the United States Army, and in the Ohio National Guard as a military policeman. My civic involvement and responsibility are well documented in service on the Hamilton County Mental Health Board, the OKI Council of Governments, Citizens Against Substance Abuse (CASA) and Hamilton County Mental Health Board member on the Cincinnati Citizens Police Association, as well as various political campaigns over the years.

My wife, Debbie, and our children, Isaac and Brittney, are well known in Anderson Township for being involved in community activities, such as coaching Little League and soccer. My vision for improving Anderson Township is to make sure local government keeps up with growth and delivers all the services needed by residents of one of Cincinnati's most vital communities. I have a no-nonsense, let's-roll-up-our-sleeves-and get-to-work atttitude. Those who know me will tell you I will not hesitate to take on the difficult tasks in Anderson Township and will set aside politics and work for the community.