In 2021 we asked candidates about their position on the green space as it pertains to the the levy. Now again in 2023, we are at a similar junction. The current levy is being voted on in November. We invited candidates to visit with our committee and share their positions.
Candidates for the school board who spoke at our greenspace meetings were Kim Reichelderfer, Rebecca Potter, Amy Bailey, and Pat Peters. Candidates for Village Council who spoke with us are Trish Gustafson, Scott Osterholm, and Gavin DeVore. It was great to hear all of the candidates expressing positive general views on greenspace and its place in the future of Yellow Springs! But among the candidate responses were some very specific comments on the historical significance of Mills Lawn greenspace, value to residents as well as visitors, importance as a central park for the whole community, and ideas for possible future uses as a more developed accessible public park. These specific comments were from Rebecca Potter, Kim Reichelderfer, and Trisha Gustafson. Clearly these candidates have given serious thought to the meaning of greenspace and value it in their platforms. We had lively positive discussions with all who visited and we hope to continue meeting with local officials as their work intersects with the preservation of Mills Lawn greenspace.
Responses: School Board, Village Council & Miami Township Trustees
October 2021
We asked Candidates and Current members of the Yellow Springs, Ohio School Board, the Village Council, and the Miami Township Trustees to respond to this question:
What is your position on preserving the Mills Lawn greenspace, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming school levy?
Village Council
Issa Walker - Dear members of Greenspace, I am in favor of keeping the space as green as possible. I am also committed to keeping the space a resource for the public for future generations to come. Thank you.
Scott Osterholm - We need to preserve Mills Lawn greenspace. It is vital to our community. Not only to our children but as a social gathering place for many activities. I believe this could be done with local legislation. We should preserve it if the school is no longer a viable option at its current location.
Laura Curliss - The greenspace at Mills Lawn (the western 7 acres, more or less) should be permanently preserved as a public park and open space. There are approximately 160 mature trees there (including dozens of memorial trees), space for play, exercise, relaxation and community outdoor events. Mills Lawn is the Yellow Springs “Village Green or “central park.” This type of greenspace cannot be replaced by other types of greenspace. I am committed to the principle that the land belongs to the taxpayers; however, I would consider any reasonable and available option for bringing tax, grant or other dollars into the School Board budget in exchange for permanent preservation. The greenspace can be preserved and still used during school hours for school purposes for so long as needed. We will have a new school board in 2021. I ask for a joint meeting of the School Board and Village Council in early 2021 so that we may begin to work together to keep this important community property “green” for all citizens and visitors to use and enjoy - forever.
Brian Housh - Good Morning, Citizens to Preserve Mills Lawn Greenspace! I remain committed to collaborating with community members, YS Schools leadership and Village team members to permanently preserve greenspace at the current location of Mills Lawn Elementary School. I recognize the importance of approaching critical issues in Yellow Springs with honesty, civility and accurate information -- this is the key to successful results. I understand the urgency with securing the future of the Mills Lawn property if it is no longer used as a school facility, and I am confident that our public officials can be trusted to represent Villagers. I appreciate the authentic advocacy of the Citizens to Preserve Mills Lawn Greenspace -- citizen-led initiatives are how meaningful change happens -- and strongly believe that we will solve this issue by working together, staying focused on facts and not being misled to assume negative motivations. Notably, I have been ready to support negotiating a plan since the status of this greenspace was brought forward, and I am prepared to figure out a positive resolution with the landowners, neighbors and community as soon as possible. Mills Lawn is a vital space that defines our Village, and I will work hard and collaboratively to protect it.
Kevin Stokes - As a member of the Village Council, I am committed to the Village Values and the Strategic Goals espoused by Council, including Deepen(ing) Environmental Resiliency and Maintain(ing) Village Vitality. As you may also be aware, I am a recently appointed member of the Yellow Springs Development Corporation (YSDC) Board of Trustees. As a member of the YSDC and with regards to some of the work that I am involved with, it is ethically prudent that my public comments regarding certain matters, including the subject discussion, remain neutral. Thank you for the important work of civic engagement that you are involved with.
Lindsay Burke - I am very interested in working with your group and others here in the village to make a decision about the Mills Lawn space that will provide the best use to the community for many years to come. Like you, I see the great value in the large trees and wide open space in the heart of the downtown. I am sure this issue is multi-layered and the needs of the whole community must be taken into account as we discuss this important next step. I hope for collaborative communication to guide us through the difficult portions of this process, leading us to a fruitful and positive outcome we can be proud of in the end. In the next weeks, I will be looking forward to learning about and hearing from all interested parties, then thoughtfully considering the options that place the highest value on our collective futures.
No Response submitted.
Carmen Brown
Lisa Kreeger
Marianne MacQueen
School Board
Amy Magnus - The deciding factor that compelled me to enter this election as a school board candidate was my wish to preserve Mills Lawn as a community asset and schoolground. I value Mills Lawn greenspace and will seek its preservation regardless of the outcome of the school levy. The greenspace supports activities in Yellow Springs year round. Its playgrounds, mature landscaping, and history are irreplaceable assets; they improve quality of life for all villagers, giving us space to play, visit, organize, and breathe. I think of the many marches, picnics, and friendships that those grounds have gathered and see Mills Lawn as a wellspring of identity for Yellow Springs families. As a candidate and if elected to the school board, I will advocate for protective policy changes through rezoning, conservation easement, and/or joint community projects. My candidacy advocates defeating the proposed school levy as a helpful and resolute step in reversing current policy, but follow up action is required to protect the greenspace long term. Long term preservation removes the temptation to develop the property for residential and business purposes. Conservation continues our long standing tradition of shared use at Mills Lawn—for education, arts, recreation, activism, and popup commerce—benefiting residents of all ages and incomes.
Judith Hempfling - We are reminded daily by the location and beauty of Mills Lawn that education and the well-being of our children are central to our values. It is not only a beautiful green in the heart of our village which benefits all who pass by or walk, study and play in its grasses and shade. It is also the home of countless memorial trees planted in honor of loved ones who died. It is the home of the majestic ancient Three Sisters oaks, clustered together, standing strong and tall. And most importantly, it is the schoolyard for our youngest children who can flourish and grow in the embrace of nature at the heart of our community. Therefore, I oppose the new K-12 facility plan in part because it forces us to give up this beautiful jewel for a new school that can never replace the character, history and beauty of what we have. I am greatly motivated by my advocacy of care and upgrades of our current buildings through the development of an effective permanent improvement plan that will restore the current buildings to the standards appropriate for the education of our children. I believe the only guarantee of preservation of Mills Lawn schoolyard, its beautiful trees and park-like character is if it remains a schoolyard. If the community chooses to preserve Mills Lawn School and I am elected to the school board, I would advocate exploration of a conservation easement for the green to be permanently preserved as a school yard and community space. Should the school levy pass, Mills Lawn will no longer be a school, and there is no way to predict or guarantee what will happen to the green. At that time, Mills Lawn School building and schoolyard will be thrown up for grabs and efforts for preservation as a park will struggle against the community interest in economic development of such a central and valuable piece of land.
Dorothee Bouquet - First and foremost, I advocate for community forums on the issue. We need to have the opportunity to hear the villagers' opinion on what they envision for that space. Our community is full of passionate, knowledgeable, and creative people and I have yet to hear someone arguing for developing this space. Really the question is not so much on whether to preserve the Mills Lawn Greenspace as much as it is about how to do it in a way that is affordable and beneficial to all. And this is where I want to hear all of the good ideas this community can generate. Secondly, I believe that we will have the most options on the table if the school levy for a new K-12 facility passes. My current reasoning is that if the school district has the support of the community to move forward with the most long-lasting facility option on the table, they will be more at ease to transfer the Mills Lawn property into the hands of another entity that could work to preserve the greenspace.
Luisa Bieri Rios - I attended Mills Lawn School, as did my father and now 7th grade child. I deeply value the school and land on which it sits that has allowed for generations to learn, play and grow. I support the YS Schools’ need for upgraded, safe, accessible facilities and support the upcoming levy. I am confident that if the levy passes, the YS Schools, Village Council, YS CDC and local citizens will work together towards a plan that allows for preservation and continued community use of the greenspace as well as creative ideas for the current facility’s footprint on the property. I look forward to being part of the dialogue. It is my sense that the timing of the Mills Lawn Greenspace committee to raise funding for its efforts has caused confusion to villagers who are concerned about affordability of the school levy. Some people may feel that they are being asked to either support greenspace on Mills Lawn property or the levy, but I do not think it should be framed as an either/or issue. I encourage the Greenspace committee to publicly support the upcoming facilities levy as a community-minded pathway towards keeping everyone’s best interests at heart.
Pam Nicodemus - I came to Yellow Springs as a brand new mother, at the stage when my son was almost constantly strapped onto me in some way. We lived on North Stafford and had a small shop in King's Yard. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable the Mills Lawn property has been to my family and continues to be. I can't even begin to count the number of play dates and gatherings I or my son have attended there, not including the incidental times we all just seem to end up there. It would hit us hard if the greenspace on the property was developed. So I am 100% in support of the mission of Mills Lawn Greenspace. I would like to see the YS schools and the village work together to find a way to ensure that greenspace remains in the future. But I am hesitant to lay it at the feet of the schools entirely. The obfuscation around the original property owner's intent is truly a village-wide issue. It is past time for us to put our consensus-building skills to work and hash that out. The school should not have to solve the issue alone.
No Response submitted.
Steve Conn
TJ Turner
Steve McQueen
Aida Merhemic
Sylvia Ellison
Miami Township
Dino Pallotta - First off, I’d like to thank The Citizens to Preserve Mills Lawn Greenspace for giving me the opportunity to respond to the preservation of this greenspace. Since we live in very close proximity to Mills Lawn, we use this public space all the time to walk our dogs. It is truly a gem for a greenspace to be so close to downtown. More importantly, the life that goes on in this space is remarkable! From disc golf, to people picnicking, to people sitting and reading, to the outdoor plays, to kids playing and swinging, to hearing music being played, to the hawks that nest there or even watching the deer roam around when I go to work at 5am, it is a versatile and invaluable space to our community and one that must not be lost! These are important features and beneficial to all who utilize it. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the school board and their ownership of this property. It falls under their purview and jurisdiction to do with the land what they see fit for them. Although, your citizens group has made it abundantly clear your position, it is obvious that a “meeting of the minds” should take place in the best interest of the entire community before any decision is made. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Don Hollister - All of Mills Lawn should remain "community space," not just the western two-thirds. I view all of Mills Lawn as the "village commons," certainly not to be sold for commercial development. In giving the land and Mills House to the school district the college board of trustees was explicit in saying that they expected it to be devoted to public community use. I make that statement as a private citizen. The Township Trustees have no role in deciding what the schools do.
Zo Van Eaton-Meister - I am fully committed to the preservation of the Mills Lawn property as a greenspace regardless of any changes in the elementary school building status. My belief is that the value of the natural beauty is priceless. Flower, vegetable, rock & tea gardens are all possibilities for increasing the quality of the space, as well as the implementation of an arboretum.
Structures like pergolas, torri gates, bridges & gazebos could also enhance the landscape while simultaneously providing volunteer opportunities for high school seniors, scouts, or other community members
No Response Submitted.
Chris Mucher
Denise Swinger
Marilan Moir
Yellow Springs Village Mayor
Pam Conine - While I know you have specifically solicited responses from School Board and Village Council candidates, my name was included in the mailing, so I'd like to make a response for your group.
In Yellow Springs, the Village Council has both executive and legislative power but delegates most executive power to the Village Manager. As Mayor of Yellow Springs, my duties are basically two-fold: ceremonial and judicial. As the person who runs the Village Mayor's Court, I am guided by Rule 4.1 or the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, which informs my responsibilities in a judicial capacity under our Village Charter. Without going into a lot of detail, I'll share my guiding principle based upon the training for the judicial position I hold: "Be careful about expressing my opinions, certainly when attached to my role as Village Mayor." I say this not as a dodge, because I still have first amendment rights, but our training cautions us to limit making opinionated comments on public issues, an approach I understand, respect, and will follow at this time. That said, I appreciate the hard work of the Greenspace Committee and continue to follow your work with interest. Respectfully, Mayor Pam