Questions From a Voter

- Answered by: Amy Heutmaker, MBA, MS, LPC

Fiscal Responsibility & Services 

• Q: How will you ensure fiscal responsibility and avoid wasteful spending in the township budget? 

A: I will ensure fiscal responsibility by carefully reviewing budgets, prioritizing essential services, and making sure every dollar serves residents. Wasteful spending has no place in township government. 

• Q: Do you support keeping taxes low, and how will you balance that with providing services? 

A: Yes, I support keeping taxes low while protecting core services. The key is balancing careful budgeting with advocacy for state relief on property taxes, like working to expand the Homestead Tax Credit, so residents—especially seniors—aren’t overburdened. 

• Q: What are your priorities for infrastructure, roads, and public safety funding? 

A: My priorities are well-maintained roads, reliable drainage systems, and strong support for fire, EMT, and law enforcement. These are the services residents count on daily, and they must always come first. In addition to taking action on vacant decaying homes. 

Amy Heutmaker during a winter roof drill with the St. Paul Blvd. Fire Dept. (Irondequoit, NY)

Community & Families 

• Q: How will you ensure our community remains a safe, family-friendly place to raise children? 

A: I want Russell to remain a safe, welcoming place to raise children. That means strong safety services, well-kept parks, and protecting the rural character that makes our community special. 

• Q: What role should trustees play in supporting parental rights and family values in the community? 

A: Trustees should support families by listening to parents and ensuring township services reflect the values of the community. Local government works best when it strengthens—not replaces—family voices. 

• Q: What is your approach to addressing crime, drugs, and public safety challenges locally? 

A: As a former volunteer firefighter who has responded to murder scenes, drug overdoses, fires, and hundreds of other calls, I will back our first responders with proper funding, training, and mutual-aid partnerships. Addressing crime and drug issues means being proactive, supporting prevention programs, and ensuring quick, effective emergency response and proper oversight of the police budget. 

Transparency & Accountability 

• Q: How will you keep communication open and transparent with residents? 

A: I will keep residents informed with updated township website postings, social media, newsletters, townhall style listening sessions, and live-streamed meetings. Transparency builds trust. 

• Q: What steps will you take to make sure community voices—not personal agendas—drive your decisions? 

A: I will listen before deciding and ensure policies reflect what residents want—not personal agendas. Trustees must serve the people. 

• Q: If elected, what’s the first initiative you’d want to implement? 

A: My first initiative would be to strengthen communication by improving the township website and making it easier for residents to access information and share input. 

• Q: How will you ensure that your personal identity or advocacy does not override the broader values and priorities of our community? 

A: I’m here to serve every resident of our community. My campaign is grounded in listening, collaboration, and getting things done. My focus is on the issues that matter most to our neighbors—like infrastructure, safety, and keeping our community the way it is. Throughout this campaign, I’ve heard from many people who are ready to move beyond divisive politics and I’m keeping my campaign centered on local priorities and shared values and not wedge issues. 

• Q: Some residents may worry about national political issues creeping into local governance. How can you reassure voters that your focus will stay on township needs, not broader activism? 

A: I will keep the focus on Russell Township—roads, safety, blighted properties, parks, and fiscal responsibility. National politics don’t belong in township government. 

• Q: In cases where community values differ from your personal beliefs, how will you make decisions? 

A: If community values differ from my personal beliefs, I will put the will of residents first. Trustees are elected to serve the community as a whole. 

• Q: Do you believe policies affecting children—such as library programming, youth activities, or education-related issues—should be influenced more by parents and community standards than by individual trustees’ views? 

A: I believe policies affecting children should be guided by parents using community resources that align with the family’s values. The Geauga County Public Library (GCPL) Board of Trustees, and not the Russell trustees have input to libraries in our area. I will leave this issue to local families and the board as they know best what suits our community values and library patrons. 

• Q: How do you define fairness and representation when balancing traditional community values with minority perspectives? 

A: Fairness means respecting the values of the majority while also making sure other voices are heard. Representation is about balance and ensuring ALL residents feel included, it is not a winner takes all concept.