Speech to the Delhi Business Association

By Don Jasper

This is the written speech presented to the Delhi Business Association.

Good Morning. I first want to thank the Delhi business association for allowing me this opportunity here today. My name is Don Jasper, and since I am a new fresh voice on the scene, let me give you a quick introduction. I am a life long resident of Delhi, a property owner and taxpayer. My wife Missy and I are raising three kids, ages 16, 6 and 3. I am a project manager for Roell Builders, supervising the construction and budgets for commercial and residential properties. Both my parents and grandparents on both sides were well established names in our community. My father served this community as a Law Enforcement Officer for over 30 years, and while we both proudly carry the same name, he is retired, and I enter a different arena of service.

I have been following the actions of our Board of Trustee's for several years. I have been outspoken on a number of occasions. I am tired of just sitting back and complaining, I want to get involved. I am willing to step up and do something; I want to serve this community and would like to have my voice heard. I want to be the next Delhi Township Trustee.

Delhi is a great community, and my goal would be to keep it that way, yet always look for the avenues to improve. Obviously, I do not agree with all the decisions our current board has made or I would not be running for this position. But I am not going to stand here and give you promises and guarantees that I can not keep, I think we hear enough of that stuff. I cannot stand here and tell you I personally will revive the business district, or eliminate our section 8 housing or find all the answers to all the problems our community faces. What I can tell you however, is that there are items and issues I would want to look into and give my input on and see if we can come up with some good positive solutions.

A hot topic these days are property maintenance codes, and the over-all upkeep of the homes and property in Delhi. Good property maintenance is directly related to property values. In today's real estate housing market, property value is essential. For most of us, our properties are both our biggest asset and most important investment of our lives. We need to actively research, resolve and move forward with this issue. And do it with some sense of urgency. The bottom line is "we need to protect our investments". Arrogant attitudes can get in the way of positive solutions. I will not bring arrogance to the board.

I also believe that if we are going to ask the citizens of Delhi to keep their property in good condition, the township needs to do the same with their own property. Tops on that list is Delhi Park, which could stand some maintenance of its own, but I'll save that issue for another day.

Another area I would address is resident communication. I have been outspoken in an attempt to engage more residents to view the televised township meeting so as to be more aware of our boards actions. However, the quality of that media needs a definite improvement, since it is our number one tool for the residents to see what is going on. Residents have to be given the right tools to get involved, sometimes the board is lacking in this area. We need to invite people to the board meetings that have something they want or need to tell the trustees, and this needs to be done so that the residence feel welcome. We have seen time and time again where residents are treated with a lack of respect when they are addressing the board.

We can not have the people of this township afraid to come and voice their opinion. No matter what, they need to be treated with respect! The lines of communication need not be a slippery slope, it needs to be an easy path, whether the township is able to satisfy the resident's immediate concern or not, it needs to always be dealt with in a respectful manner. I will be respectful.

As a member of the board I would encourage the board to research the needs of those departments now. We are two years into what we were told was a 5 year plan. This community cannot afford another board mistake of "all or nothing" fiasco for our safety services. A valuable lesson should have been learned when last time the residents choose "the nothing". I'm not sure if our current board is in touch enough with the residents to have learned the lesson. While I support both our Fire and Police Departments, I will listen to both their needs and the residents to be sure we satisfy the citizens, and give them what they want.

There are bound to be a lot of discussion in the next four years about levies. I believe what this township needs is a fresh perspective on the board. I am the someone "not connected politically", someone with fresh energy, and fresh ideas. Someone not afraid to ask the tough questions, but then willing to listen to the answers and discussion to follow. A lot of my friends like to tease me about being a politician, I keep telling them I am far from a politician, I am just an average guy trying to do what I can, and what I think is right for Delhi. I feel like I can bring some much needed new life to the board. I am an average working citizen whose perspective can bring a voice on the board of trustees that it does not have now, yet desperately needs.

I ask for you vote!