WEST CHESTER TWP. — Several Butler County candidates in contested races for the March 6 primary squared off against one another during a community forum Thursday night.

Participants in the event hosted by the West Chester Tea Party included county Commissioner Chuck Furmon and Republican challengers state Rep. Courtney Combs and West Chester Twp. business owner T.C. Rogers.

Democrat Jodi Billerman and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus, who will run in the November election for commissioner against the winner of the Republican primary, participated in the event at Lakota West Freshman School.

Combs said when seeking endorsement from the GOP, all Republican candidates were asked about whether they would raise taxes.

“Somewhat surprised, I was the only one who said no,” he said. “I got chastised for that by some people — mostly liberals. We solved a budget in the state of Ohio — $8 billion dollars — without raising taxes. I see no reason that we should raise taxes in Butler County.

“Many years ago, I established the economic development association in Butler County. It was a public-private organization that did economic development for Butler County,” Combs said. “The county put up $60,000, the privates put up over $150,000. We’ve worked together for economic development — that means jobs.”

Furmon, a lifelong resident of Butler County who was raised in Hanover Twp. and now resides in Hamilton, said the county had been known as the job creation capital of Ohio until the recession hit.

“The state has also taken millions of dollars by cutting our local government fund. We have made the necessary cuts and layoffs to balance the budget,” said Furmon. “We’ve done this and still maintained one of the lowest sales tax rates in the state.”

“I was honored by the Butler County Chiefs of Police Association for my leadership in making the countywide emergency radio system a reality,” he said. “Any police, fire or life squad member can communicate with any other safety officer in the county with the flip of a switch.”

Rogers, who was born and raised in the county, said he is concerned how commissioners handle tax dollars.

“I believe a discussion about the value is appropriate. The values of you home, the value of your job and what it takes to keep it, and the value of your child’s education. These are the questions on people minds tonight,” he said.

“I believe I’m the most qualified person to run for county commissioner in years when it comes to the level of education, experience in different turn around situations, vast personal knowledge in relationships with all communities throughout the county and a proven track record of accomplishments turning personal assets into a higher value then they were before we started,” Rogers said.

Billerman lives in Liberty Twp. She manages public relations for a firm working with charter schools across Ohio. Billerman took the opportunity to introduce herself because she is new to the political arena.

“I’d loved to discuss policy. I’m keenly interested in it,” she said.

“I was a reporter in northwestern Ohio, who covered the state and county commissioners. I lived in both Liberty Townships in the state of Ohio. One in Hancock County and one here,” Billerman said. “I graduated as I mentioned from Lakota High School at the top of my class and I attended the University of Cincinnati, where I graduated magnum cum laude. I have raise my children here and spent 10 years here as a stay as home mom doing contract work. I look forward to getting to know you over the next several months.”

Olthaus, a lifelong county resident who grew up in Hamilton, serves as a charge nurse and part-time supervisor for nearly at The Fort Hamilton Hospital.

“I have concern for our country and county and where we’re going in our history,” he said. “My grandmother always said, “don’t just sit on the sidelines and complain, do something. This is my opportunity to get involved and do something.”

Olthaus said he looks as his inexperience in county politics “as an advantage in a lot of ways because I can think outside the box. I do that all the time as a nurse. I just want to do a good job for you all.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5219 or dewilson@coxohio.com.