| August 25, 2009 Questions & Answers With Council Member Anita Scott Jones |
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:15:21 AM - Middletown Ohio |
Interview By: Randy Lewis
Tell our readers about yourself, your education and overall background?
I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. To some, it is known as the Cradle of the Confederacy. To others, it is known as the Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement. To me, it was a great place to live, grow and learn about the differences and similarities of people. I have two sisters and one brother. My father is retired after spending 30 years in the United States Army and my mother is a retired educator and business owner. I graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and 16 years after graduating, I was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame for work in the community. I received a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University (Montgomery campus). I attended three years of law school. I have been working and going to school at the same time since I was 16 years old. My parents instilled in us a work ethic and accountability.
I worked for nearly 20 years in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office where I started as a runner and ended as the Restitution Officer for the 15th Judicial Circuit. My husband grew up in Middletown and graduated from Middletown High School in 1975. His father worked in the blast furnace and was a medic driver at Armco Steel until his death in 1988. My mother-in-law remained in Middletown after his death. In May of 2000, my husband and I moved to Middletown to be near her during a two year illness. From 2000-2007, I was a recruiter for a search firm in Mason, Ohio. After obtaining my Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix (Cincinnati/West Chester campus), I decided I wanted to honor my aunt (who died of breast cancer 4 years ago) and my mother (both were educators) by becoming a teacher.
I have been teaching at Brown Mackie College (Cincinnati and Norwood campuses) for the past 2 and one half years. I am in my third year of a 4-6 year doctoral program through the University of Phoenix. I have had five major surgeries and spent two years learning to walk again. One surgery cost over $200,000 (my portion was over $40,000). I have been where I had A-1 credit and I have been where I went to work everyday and couldn’t scrape two pennies together. I am blessed to be alive and I treasure every day as a new opportunity. Each day is another day God has given me to do justly, love mercy, and walk with Him.
Where do you stand on the section 8 situation in Middletown? What changes need to be made, if any?
Section 8 and similar programs throughout the country were implemented as a result of Depression era eradication of slums. It was designed to provide affordable housing to low income families. Unfortunately, like many things involving people, things take an extreme turn. Our community, like most has a mix of income levels and while Section 8 is for those on the lower end of the income spectrum, I also believe that we must have balance in our community and create higher paying jobs. This would aid in reducing the number of people who would need Section 8 services.
Everybody deserves to live in decent housing. However, Middletown has a disproportionate amount of Section 8 housing. Starting in September 2009, the City Council will conduct the Section 8 Administration meetings at our council meetings. I am a strong proponent of this so that the citizens can determine if we are truly trying to reduce the numbers and monitor the program.
How do you feel about the ward system and the recently filed petition to have it placed on the ballot?
Sixteen years ago, the ward system was created as a result of some in the community who felt that most, if not all of the then council/commissioners came from the same area of the city and that other areas in the city were not represented. Therefore, to ensure that people from all economic backgrounds were represented, the wards were created. I would love to see the city where wards or areas are not necessary but at this time, I believe it should remain the way it is. I respect the right of those who filed the petition to do so. The council voted on this issue and my decision to vote to retain the wards has not changed.
There has been a lot of talk about the I-75 interchange at Manchester Road. Do you feel this is something Middletown needs?
As you know, this issue came before this council last week but has been discussed for years. With the developments that are occurring around I-75, changes are certain. As for the interchange at Manchester, there are several components that were not present when it came before us. Whether it is needed or not is premature. There is land that has to be negotiated and that may or may not happen. Also, there may be other sites that would be equally viable. Furthermore, other players must be invited to the table. I could not vote for a study of this type with all the unknown variables.
The Monroe lawsuit regarding the coke plant was recently dismissed, given the current situation in Middletown and the lack of jobs, in your opinion is the coke plant what this town needs?
Please forgive me for not going into more detail, but we have not been informed that we can talk about this issue as of yet. I know the Monroe lawsuit was dismissed but I believe there are still some pending issues. However, my decision regarding this issue when it came before us has not changed.
Middletown city council has taken a lot of bad press lately in the news papers and on blogs. What do you feel the citizens of Middletown need to understand about your job and the decisions council has to make?
Being on council is a catch 22 position. It is not a full-time job but some of us put in full-time hours. I can recall leaving my full-time job in Cincinnati one council meeting night. I was stuck in traffic (between exits-therefore no place to detour) for two hours and was 10 minutes late to the council meeting. Another council member was late also. We were blogged and talked about so badly. People talked about my education and where I obtained my degrees as if those universities were not accredited. They talked about me incessantly and all I have ever tried to do was be open to the citizens. I do not speak for my colleagues. I can only speak for myself.
When I decided to run for council, I did so because I wanted to be accessible to the people and use my education to help answer the citizens’ questions even if they were difficult and uncomfortable; and if I didn’t have the answers, I would get them. I believe that I owe the people I represent what is right, fair and true. I deliberately did not take any campaign contributions because I wanted my decisions to be based on fairness and I wanted to be free of any undue influences. I would like for the citizens to understand that I represent this city (all wards) and I know that whatever decisions I make, someone will disagree with them.
Are there any decisions you have made as a City Council member that looking back you would make differently?
I am one of seven votes and the majority rules but I have always researched every issue that has come before us because I believe that each issue is important to someone. As a result, I do not have any regrets regarding any decisions I have made since being on council. There have many several instances where I was the lone “no” vote and it was uncomfortable but I voted my conscience. I will continue to research the issues that come before me and continue to treat the citizens I represent fairly. I will not ignore the citizens and I will always be accessible to them.
Thank you for this opportunity and if the citizens should need to contact me, I can be reached at 513-259-4203 cell; 513-705-0725 primary home; 513-705-1705 secondary home number. Again, thank you.
Anita Scott Jones
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