Name: Stephen Harding
Age: 45
Education: bachelor’s degree, master’s courses
Occupation: sales
Current Employment: manager
Political Experience: four years, Springboro City Council
Political Party: Republican
Description of political office: At large seat, Springboro City Council
Term of Office: four years
Family: married with children
Name: Gary Hruska
Education: law degree
Current Employment: lawyer
Political Experience: 14 years on council
Political Party: Republican
Description of political office: Council
Term of Office: four years
Family: divorced, stepson
Name: Becky Iverson
Age: 46
Education: bachelor’s degree
Current Employment: manager
Political Experience: four years, Springboro City Council
Political Party: Republican
Description of political office: At large seat, Springboro City Council
Term of Office: four years
Family: married with children
ELECTION COVERAGE
Compare these candidates on other issues: Learn more about the candidates and tax issues on the Nov. 3 ballot in our interactive election guide at vote.daytondailynews.com
Two incumbents and a political newcomer are running for two at-large seats on Springboro City Council.
The city’s two at-large council members, Gary Hruska and Becky Iverson are running for re-election along with Stephen Harding, a well-known resident in his first race for elected office.
The annual salary for the council position is $12,000.
Harding, a software salesman, has no political experience, except his work on the planning commission, but is well known as a long-time resident who heads the city’s pee wee football program. He has also headed the local chamber of commerce and currently sits on the city’s planning commission.
Hruska, a lawyer in private practice, has served as a ward and at-large council member for 14 years. Iverson, a manager of a sales and training team, is completing her first term as the city’s other at-large council representative. Both are or have served on city boards and commissions.
Four years ago, Iverson ran a close second in a three-way race.
In responses to the Dayton Daily News Voters Guide, all three supported the 0.5 percent reduction in the income tax for residents who work outside the city limits. All also supported plans to redevelop, widen and otherwise improve the city's central intersection, Ohio 741 and Ohio 73, expected to cost the city $9 million.
Asked to distinguish herself from her opponents, Iverson pointed to her skills as a team player able to collaborate with others on council in the community on city projects.
“I am dedicated to keeping Springboro a great place to live, work, and do business by continuing to work as a strong team with City staff, citizen volunteers and council members,” she said via email.
Hruska emphasized his experience and the city’s high rankings in various polls of livable cities in recent years, while he was on council.
“I have more than three times the experience as the other two candidates put together,” Hruska said. “I’ve been through the growth of the city, helped solve its problems to get it to where it is today.”
Hruska, Iverson and Harding all have websites.
Harding's web site listed letters of support from Panther football coach Ryan Wilhite, Dale Brunner, the Greater Dayton YMCA president and CEO recently appointed to represent Ward 2 on council; and Ed Wade, a long-time local insurance agent and trustee in neighboring Clearcreek Twp.
“I have a passion for this city and will utilize my time and experience to make a positive impact on this great community,” he concluded an email response as to why he should get the nod from voters.
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