Johnstown council candidates expound on their village views

The race for Johnstown Village Council includes incumbents Joyce Evans, Sharon Hendren, Adam Roberts and Carol Van Deest, as well as challenger Sean Staneart.

[wcl]

Interesting that nobody was asked about the hiring of Judy Edwards as Village Manager-------to ME, a major mistake of the current Village council. Surely they could find a more qualified candidate for this position. That is one reason that I chose to vote only for the non-incumbent (I work the poles in Pataskala and have already voted in that this is NOT my precinct of residence).

[wcl]

Hmmmmm..........I am NOT a resident of Grove City but live right in the heart of Johnstown, contrary to how they have my local listed!!!

[Randy]

I hope you aren't the only one who voted for change. Come on Johnstown it is time !!! What is a fresh perspective going to hurt.

[Randy]

From Johnstown also, imagine that a news group that can't get it right!!

[Matt]

I'm not originally from Johnstown but moved there because I thought it was a developing community that would be a nice place to live. However, after living in a historic house for nearly 6 years and looking at the same dilapidated downtown, I had to move. When a community doesn't see issues with a run down & tired city center then I know they don't care.
I agree with Van Deest "Research shows that a healthy and vibrant downtown boosts the economic health and quality of life in a community". Unfortunately it's a little to late for me to start talking about revitalization.

I also agree that the zoning is messed up. The house across the street had a barn / garage leaning to one side. It appeared that one large gust of wind would blow it over. I sent a former compliant to the city of Jtown and they didn't see any issue with the structure. It was clearly dilapidated in my eyes; but if you're used to seeing a down town that is dilapidated then that becomes the norm.
Oh BTW: A new Kroger & Burger King isn't going to make Johnstown

[Mike]

I agree with you Matt. Some of our neighbors homes are lets face it trashy. The downtown area is undergoing a "remodeling" and as a 29 year resident has never looked better. I am a little concerned about the rapid growth of our town. As a kid growing up I can remember being able to ride my bike to the bike trail from uptown, now that I have 2 kids there is no way I would allow them to do that. Traffic is really an issue that needs to be adressed. I understand that everything changes and things must grow and we as a community need to adapt to these changes, but also remember how our great our "smalltown" was.

[David]

Whatever happened to "if elected I will represent the will of the people"?
Too many replies start with "I" and their personally feelings.

If most people object to more than four garage sales per year or "x" number of dogs/cats, should NOT the elected person vote the will of the people NOT how they personally feel??

Johnstown badly needs a by-pass to get rid of hundreds of smelly trucks that daily pass through the "downtown area" on Routes 62 and 36 before people will spend any time downtown.

[David]

I do live in Johnstown NOT Franklinton, PA.
Type a comment and see what mystery town you are assigned.

[Matt]

Johnstown could be great, but some of the "Old heads" just need to let it go. I think you can still be a small town and be a clean safe community. Look at Granville. Granville is much larger than johnstown and it has a nice city center and the people take pride in their town.

what I found most funny about Jtown was locals really dont support their local businesses. There is such much opportunity for local entrepreneurs to start businesses, but I dont think the locals would support them unless it's BK, Wendy's and Mickey D's or some sort of chain, however 62 BBQ seems to be making it.

The traffic situation is appalling. Where are the left and right turn signals? If you have to travel down 62 everyday, that can get very tiring.
I still live in Jtown, but I moved out to 5 acres where I dont have to be concerned with what's happening in downtown Jtown.

[Denise]

Johnstown resident. I am very weary of government getting bigger and infringing on 'We The People'. Anyone that wants to control and limit is not the candidate for me. I am looking for someone who will serve us. Provide for us by protecting our liberties. Times are getting tuff. Get out of my way so I can earn a living. Control and restrictions do not make a community better. I want to be comfortable in my village and most of all FREE.