Ogden voters have four choices to fill two council seats

Ogden voters have four choices to fill two council seats

Two Republican endorsed incumbent candidates, Thomas Cole and Thomas Uschold, will face two Democrat endorsed candidates, Marie Centola and Mark Seefried for two available council seats in the Town of Ogden elections. Cole and Uschold are also on the Conservative line and Centola and Seefried will be on the Independence lines.

The council seats are for four year terms and bring with them an annual stipend of $8,700 as presented in the town's 2006 preliminary budget.

Democrat Marie Centola said she decided to run for a council seat because she wanted to become more involved in the community.

"I've lived in Ogden for more than 25 years and have raised my family here," she said. "I want to represent a voice for all the women, and others, who live here and what better way to do that than to run for a position in which I can make a difference?"

Centola said there are many issues facing the town that need to be addressed because they will have a significant impact on the future of Ogden; first and foremost she said, are all of the housing developments that are being constructed.

"Houses are going up before there is any open space plan in place," she said. "I think all construction should come to a halt until a plan is thoroughly in place. We also have serious drainage problems that have gone on long enough without a resolution."

Ogden is a rural community and officials need to iron out what needs to be done to preserve wetlands and farmlands and keep a tight rein on all future developments until it is thoroughly thought through, she said.

Centola said she's worked for more than 25 years with the public and has a financial background. "I also have excellent verbal and communications skills," she said. "I'm a strong, honest woman with not only a dedicated voice but a dedicated heart as well."

Being a voice for the women in the community is also something that Centola looks forward to. "I want to help them voice their opinions and concerns," she said.

Refusing the proposed increases in the council member's annual salary is also something that Centola is prepared to propose, if elected.

"I think I represent the women in the town and feel that together we can make positive changes in the community," Centola said. " I want to look toward the future and to keeping this a great place to live and raise our children."

Centola has two children.

Incumbent Republican Tom Cole has served on the board for two and a half terms. He said he is seeking reelection because "we have a great team that has worked together well for close to 10 years." Even though they might not always agree, Cole said, the board members always work together for the good of the citizens.

"I'd like to see the present team be kept together as I think we are doing a good job," he said.

During his board tenure, Cole said, he's been part of the team that put together the highway garage project, revised zoning codes and is working on the open space plan.

"We've been able to accomplish as much as we have because we are a cohesive team with a shared vision," he said. "We have a replacement schedule for highway equipment because we know we have to keep looking to the future when budgeting because the cost of business just keeps increasing."

In addition to open space issues, Cole said, the rising cost of health insurance and other costs beyond the town's control such as fuel, are items that the board is addressing.

"We have to maintain a balance of the service we provide to residents with the costs of those services," he said. "We want to provide what they (residents) want without driving up taxes. Another concern facing Ogden is the growth in, and demand for, residential development."

With the complex issues that are facing the town, Cole said voters need the experience of a councilmember who has been dealing with the concerns.

"I'm willing to listen to constituents and I have the knowledge and experience to keep the forward momentum the board has built up in the past," he said. "Doing what's best for the town and its residents is always in the front of my mind when making decisions."

Political newcomer Democrat Mark Seefried said when he was getting signatures for his petition to be on the ballot he heard concerns from the residents on drainage issues, high taxes, snow removal, zoning assessment problems with builders on new construction and just a general feeling that the residents are not being heard.

"I would like to see new and better sports fields and parks built for the many children who participate in all the various sports programs," he said. "I believe that the town should work to encourage new industry, but not at the expense of the community. There needs to be a better plan in place for future growth."

Seefried said that he would make certain he listened to the concerns of the public, if elected.

"It is the responsibility of the town council to get out there, meet the people face-to-face and see first hand what the concerns are," he said. "These decisions should not be made until all the facts are heard and heard fairly. I would make the commitment to get out and meet the people and listen to their concerns."

New representation and ideas are needed in the Town of Ogden, Seefried said.

"I would bring a renewed vision and new ideas to make things better for residents in the Town of Ogden," he said. "This is not about me, but about the residents and what I can do for them."

Republican Tom Uschold, who is finishing his third four-year term, said he feels the present board has been effective in promoting the concerns of the residents, particularly in the areas dealing with the development of fiscally conservative budgets. "I've always looked out for the taxpayers," he said.

His background in project management, running a small business, being a parent and from having served on the board are necessary skills for the Town of Ogden residents, he said.

"Right now the biggest issue facing Ogden is the need to control development and one of the things we need to recognize is that when someone builds a 'typical' home it causes taxes to go up," he said. "We need to make sure we limit the number of houses that are constructed and continue to encourage agriculture. We need to find ways to encourage and protect agriculture."
Uschold said there is also "pressure to continue to adjust the town code and the comprehensive plan so we need to address that and also raise the bar on development so it's good development, not just uncontrolled development."

He has lived in the town for the past 17 years and he and his wife have three grown children.