We interviewed candidate for Norwich Township Fiscal Officer James Friel on Thursday October 19th and today we share it with you!
To kick things off and get right to it Jordan asks Jim to fill the people in on his experiences in and around Hilliard. Growing up in Grandview, seeing the scale and pace of change in everything from population size to the embrace of highway car travel, Jim takes the opportunity to highlight a more meaningful recent life experience. Joining the Peace Corps at nearly 70 years of age and teaching English to Taiwanese learners!
Originally slated to go to Kazakhstan, James made the best of a tough environment (nearly 105 degrees on some days) and relates to us his nearly lifelong goal of serving that Peace Corps mission and how his family helped him find the drive to make it happen before he missed his last few opportunities.
Jordan asks about the overall level of development in these areas of Thailand and the life changing power of language education for these students. After 3 years in the program 372 students completed the courses and were certified as English speakers.
Jim talks about the substantive nature of the changes that took place in himself and the motivations he brought back with him from Thailand - seeking opportunities for community service and volunteer work through local causes and organizations like FESTA and his habit of social engagement with new people each day over tea or coffee on Main Street in Old Hilliard.
Jordan asks why the Fiscal Officer position was Jim’s choice when it came to election time and he describes some of the unique elements of the posting. He’s come to the conclusion that at the township level we’re approaching an era of development that could be called transformational and his experience running large trust divisions and construction banking would be helpful and mindful of the primary responsibilities of the elected position.
Citing the variety of major projects and initiatives needing attention at the township level, Jim assures listeners he is willing to commit a full time work schedule to the first year of his term and hopes to engage in the work early in an effort to observe and get up to speed on the relationships and issues at play.
Kevin and Jim chat about old family connections in Grandview and the small world of central Ohio then he moves the topic to the structure of the race for this job and Friel’s choice to make sure it would be an elected contest - instead of letting it simply be an appointed position without connection to voters.
Jordan asks Jim how this position can or should connect the people of the township and the ways he might work to make those changes real - providing value and transparency through the process.
We wrap up by talking through the emerging nature of collaborative government in the area between schools, city, and township and how James thinks these entities should work together, embracing new leadership styles and community involvement to make a difference.
Music Intro / Outro Composed by Eddie Maneuver
Summary Copy Written by Jordan Smith
We hope you enjoy this series and we are taking this very seriously.
We would like to extend a perpetual “thank you” to candidates and officials willing to make themselves available in this format.
Featured below is the guiding document we developed - drawing on decades of Kevin Corvo’s reporting experience - to provide residents the best chance to get to know the candidates you’ll be asked to vote for this November.
2023 Hilliard Beacon Election Candidate Interview Guidelines
Purpose of this document:
* Create a framework for candidate interviews that will lend consistency to the overall project in an effort to keep the interviews fair and unbiased
* Provide candidates with an idea of what to expect during the interview
Purpose of the interviews:
* Provide a resource for Beacon Readers (and Hilliard voters in particular) to hear from candidates in a neutral environment so they can vote with confidence.
* Give candidates the chance to speak at length about the issues they consider most important.
General format for the interview:
* Timeframe for the interviews is open-ended. Most of our podcasts last about 40-50 minutes.
* We will start with introductions and some chit-chat, then into questions.
* Candidates will have the last word at the end of the interview to direct people to websites, fundraising, and ongoing contact.
General questions we may ask:
* What’s your background/history in public service?
* Why are you running for office?
* What are the most important issues facing Hilliard and what can we expect of you if you win?
* Outside your family and upbringing how did you develop your essential “common sense?”
Specific to longstanding and or ongoing issues in and around Hilliard as it pertains to our key focus areas - development, city governance, schools administration.
* Of the 5 focus areas highlighted by the community plan which do you feel should be prioritized and how?
* When it comes to Land Use how do you feel Hilliard should proceed with the Big Darby Accord?
* On the subject of TIF - talk about your understanding of recent Hilliard history and how we got here via Issue 9 - Issue 25 - The Hilliard Development Corporation - and tax abatements in general? Examples: BMW Financial - Hickory Chase.We will be putting considerable time into talking about the Community Plan- we’ll ask what you like about it, what you do not like about it, and what policies you will pursue in light of the plan.
