Colerain Township trustees-elect look ahead to new roles

A change is in the wind on the west side of Cincinnati as the leadership of the area's largest township gets a shake-up.

Two Republican-endorsed incumbents were voted out and new faces – one new to township government and one new to public office – were voted in.

Top vote-getter Raj Rajagopal, director of programming at the Hamilton County Justice Center, and Dan Unger, a former Northwest Local School District Board of Education member who has worked in small businesses for his entire career, begin four-year terms on the Colerain Township Board of Trustees in January.

The race was marked with acrimonious exchanges at township meetings and on social media but both candidates – who weren't part of the war of words – say they are focused on the future, not the bitter campaign.

Rajagopal campaigned stressing that relationships among trustees, residents, business and school leaders and township employees needed to be strengthened. He said building stronger neighborhoods was very important. And he said he knows residents and the business community want their tax dollars spent wisely. They don't want taxes raised.

Rajagopal, top vote-getter, said now that the election is behind him, he wants to focus on making the township a great place to live, keeping those issues in mind.

"This is a beautiful community and I am overwhelmed with the chance to give back here," he said. 

More:Vote count from Colerain Township Trustee race.

Rajagopal said he plans to spend the time between now and when he takes office to meet with township employees and department heads.

"I want to understand the culture there," he said. "I have already heard from (administrator)  Dan Meloy and we are going to meet to go through the township's appropriations. We have a knowledgeable staff. I plan to talk to employees and I plan to listen."

Rajagopal said he also plans to reach out to the school board and work at improving the township's relationship with that partner. "I know Jim and Pam Detzel, and Dan has been on the board, and I hope we can continue to build that relationship," he said.

Rajagopal said people from the community wanted a change.

"We have work ahead of us, but I think it will be good," he said. "We have a fantastic fire department, a fantastic police department, and fantastic employees. My first goal is to get to know them."

Unger's platform during the campaign focused on improving the township's road replacement frequency, reigning in township taxes, fees and bureaucracy to make the township more business-friendly and allowing the free market to work. He also favors on transparency, including bringing back televised trustee meetings and allowing residents to speak at meetings.

Unger said his priorities now will be meeting with outgoing incumbents Mike Inderhees and Jeff Ritter to ensure a smooth transition. 

First up on Unger's agenda in office will be changes to the public address policy and returning the township to Waycross to provide access to videos of the meetings to the public. The township currently records and posts video in-house.

Outgoing incumbent trustee Jeff Ritter said although disappointed in the results, he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the township for the last 12 years.

"We accomplished a great deal, and I served with unbelievably great professionals," he said. "I want to wish the new board my best wishes for success."

After the election, outgoing incumbent trustee Mike Inderhees thanked all the voters who participated.

"Even though the results aren't what I wanted, there is no shame in defeat. I enjoyed serving the residents as trustee. I love my hometown and this is just the beginning for me," he said. "The voters chose new trustees. I accept that and wish them much success.

Candidate Bob Thinnes said he was disappointed to lose, but intends to stay involved in his community. He's involved in CrimeStoppers and the Colerain Community Association.

"I'll be around," he said.