By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Four years ago Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp defeated challenger Dave Gale by 12 votes.
This year’s race for Groveport mayor features the same two candidates as the incumbent Westcamp will once again be challenged by Gale.
In addition to serving as mayor since 1994, Westcamp also works as a program administrator with Ohio Department of Commerce. He is a 1975 graduate of Groveport Madison High School. Prior to becoming mayor, Westcamp was elected to city council 1988-94 and served as president of council in 1994.
Gale is a logistics supervisor for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He attended The Ohio State University and has six years of military service. He has served on the city of Groveport’s planning and zoning commission and zoning board of appeals; and the city’s preservation committee. He also has served as president and treasurer of the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society.
The Southeast Messenger asked the candidates the following questions:
What would you like to accomplish if elected?
Dave Gale: “Improve customer service by changing our culture from a task oriented government to one that trumpets outstanding customer service; secure our financial future by diversifying the business income we receive; direct growth so it benefits us; protect historic assets; improve relationships with current businesses while attracting new businesses.”
Lance Westcamp: “Maintain safe, reliable police protection; maintain excellent financial accounting with transparency; utilize business tax revenue for community improvement programs and projects; continue development of park system; continue partnerships with school and service organizations; and improve flow of information to and from residents emphasizing good customer service.”
Why are you the best candidate to be mayor?
DG: “Thirty-five years managing people, team-building, achieving outstanding results in the private and public sector. Military, operations, budgeting, HR and planning and zoning experience plus owned my own business. I’ll be our top diplomat and will work with our administrators to ensure positive results. I will be available to our citizens.”
LW: “I’m a proven leader. My administration masterminded: an energy reduction program saving $101,413; the purchase and renovation of a new police headquarters saving $4 million; negotiations creating 2,500 new jobs; the opening of ACE Hardware redeveloping a blighted property; the successful transition from a ‘village’ to a ‘city’ government.”
What do you believe is the mayor’s role in the community and in the city government?
DG: “The mayor must have vision and a plan for our city. It must complement the current historical, educational, recreational and business assets and improve the quality of life for our citizens. He/she must be the citizen’s watchdog and their eyes, ears and voice when they are not present.”
LW: “Pursuant to the charter, the mayor is the chief executive and law enforcement officer of the city, and is responsible for, and has the authority together with the administrator, to administer and generally control, direct and supervise all administrative departments. The mayor’s role is nothing more and, indeed, nothing less.”
What do you see is the biggest future challenge for the city and how would you address it?
DG: “We must diversify our income steam. It comes largely from the warehouse industry. We have placed ourselves at risk during an economic slowdown. In 2007/2008 this caused us serious problems. Now we get a larger percentage of our incomes from warehousing. Our plan must be to diversify our income stream.”
LW: “Insure that Groveport maintains its hometown character and continues to provide excellent service to its residents, while responding to the needs of businesses. I will address this by continuing to manage a talented staff that I have assembled and working in an effective manner with our council and residents.”
