Lori Sanders for Violet Township

After some conversation and a huge effort to make sure our social media pages are not confused as township pages, I am adding a disclaimer to clarify that this page is not owned or operated by an entity other than myself. The disclaimer below will appear on posts presented on this page!
Disclaimer:

Although this page may periodically communicate township information, it is not a township governed page, but a personal page that I post and manage as a trustee. In order to avoid any conflict I will clarify that I do not speak on behalf of the township, or other trustees, and will clearly label opinion posts as just that.

A few more reasons why today is important!
Please Vote!

At this point in the election season, I think most believe that voters have made up their mind as to which candidate will win their vote. The key is to vote! I certainly hope I have won your vote, as I would love to see our township continue to move in the right direction. I would love to see the work of the past four years be a priority as it has made us a much stronger place to live, work, and play. We can always do better, and we are. Progress is never at the speed we would like it, but it is coming. We just have to have the right people in the right positions. So if you love a planner, relationship builder, and a high energy individual that has proven results over the years, I'm your person!

Keep me as your township trustee on November 4 to keep our community strong.

As I neared the end of my time at OSU over 40 years ago, I had the privilege of watching Woody Hayes dot the “I” years after the end of his coaching career. Although he was controversial, he certainly got a lot of things right including when he coined the phrase “You win with people”.

The team (in this case the township) comes first. In the fast-paced society we live in it is easy to be caught up working in silos and really losing sight of the big picture and how we are all connected. You cannot do the job of a trustee effectively without fostering and maintaining relationships that are important to our success. Thank you to our constituents at the local, regional, and state level. They are genuinely engaged in helping us be successful.

The past four years have been a constant reminder of what we can accomplish with the right people in the right positions. Let’s keep moving in that direction. Pictured are several individuals and entities that have been crucial in laying the foundation for our past, current, and future success and we thank them.

Keep me as your township trustee on November 4 and I will work to achieve the following goals over the next four years.

Planning – Update our roads Thoroughfare Plan, develop a long-term Land Preservation Plan, finalize the master plan of the 63-acre Violet Township property (Violet Woods).

Economic Development – Utilize additional JEDD or NCA economic tools with balanced development

Services – Continue to support our Fire, police, road, and senior services personnel

Fiscal Stewardship – Operate the township with its current tax dollars and continue to identify other revenue sources

Partnerships – Maintain the newly formed partnerships and cultivate additional ones that can ultimately support the township

And last but certainly first, continue to look for communication options to keep our community informed. We presently have the township website, the quarterly Local Waste bill that we send information in, the Pickerington Magazine, and any opportunities with Pickerington Online.

Over the past 5 weeks I have posted different areas that we have made major accomplishments in the past four years. Before we move on to what the next four years could bring, let’s remember those accomplishments..

Planning – Adopted a Comprehensive Land Use Plan and An Active Transportation Plan to guide growth and connect sidewalks and trails

Economic development – Added over 750,000 square feet of new commercial development

Senior Services – Provided the necessary guidance to help the Pickerington Senior Center update their guiding documents and practices resulting in increased membership and program offerings

Land preservation – Increased green space requirements to 30% in new developments and accepted a 20-acre land donation for permanent preservation

Fiscal stewardship – Crested the townships first JEDDs and NCAs that will generate additional revenue for the township to support services and infrastructure outside of property tax dollars. Continue to provide top notch safety services with our fire and county sheriff personnel

Partnerships – Partnered with ODOT and county leaders on major roadway improvements. Partnered with the school district to bring an updated school crossing at Harmon Middle School. Partnered with our Pickerington Community Theatre and our legislators to secure funding for updates in the Violet Woods Theatre as well as the event center

Keep me as your township trustee on November 4 and keep our community strong.

Creating partnerships and representing our township allows us to work with local entities to provide needs as well as community options. I would like to highlight a partnership with Pickerington Local School District in replacing a school crossing on Harmon Road. Harmon Middle School is one of a few district buildings on a higher traffic township road with a 40 mph speed limit. The school, including the school crossing was built well over 20 years ago. With 60 students classified as non-bus riders, the crossing is heavily used, not to mention after hours with the surrounding subdivisions. Having worked with ODOT and PLSD we have secured a pedestrian safety grant to install a modern crossing with enhanced safety features.
Keep me as your Violet Township Trustee on November 4 and keep our community strong.

“The safety of our students is paramount. Lori knows and understands this. Working with her in her role as township trustee these past four years has given the school district a much-needed seat at the table as we work toward this common goal”
-Cathy Olshefski, PLSD Board of Education member

Monday Moment
Stewardship and tax dollars.

Like most of us that watch our pocketbooks and wallets, people need to know that their tax dollars are being spent wisely. The average tax bill yields about $125.00 per month for services in the unincorporated area of Violet Township. This covers fire, police, senior, roads, health department, and administrative services including permitting and zoning.
We are a lean and efficient operation.
Keep me as your Violet township trustee on November 4, and keep our community strong.

From the county auditor.
“ As county auditor and a friend of Lori, I’ve had the privilege of watching her lead with integrity, transparency, and a deep sense of ethical responsibility. Lori brings thoughtful stewardship to every decision she makes-whether it’s supporting local economic development, strengthening community services for children and families, or ensuring our first responders have what they need. She is accountable, trustworthy, and always kind in her approach to both public service and personal relationships. Violet Township continues to thrive under her steady, principled leadership.”
-Dr. Carri Brown, Fairfield County Auditor

We know the importance of land preservation in every balanced community plan, yet it seems to be the most difficult thing to achieve. It takes the generosity of land owners, a change in building standards, vision, and financial resources to accomplish without committing current tax dollars. In the past four years we have made building standard changes requiring 30% green space in developments, and our business partner DHL, has donated a large tract of land back to the township. As we begin to master plan the 63-acre Violet Woods property (formerly the Wigwam), we are mindful of preserving land for park space accessible to the community. It’s a start.
Keep me as your Violet Township Trustee on November 4 and keep our community strong.

“Trustee Lori Sanders participated on the committee to update the 2022 township land use plan, titled “Vision for Violet.” During feedback, residents’ highest priorities were parks/trails and preserved land. The township also provided an NRAC (Natural Resources Assistance Council) board member in 2023 gaining familiarity with eligibility criteria, the procedures for ranking applications and awarding grants. this experience will greatly aid the township in qualifying for grant to meet the goals set out in “Vision for Violet” thus responding to the needs and wishes of its residents. Trustee Lori Sanders is and will con1nue to shepherd efforts for conservation for the benefit of residents.”
-Cathy Jerbic, Violet Township resident

Senior services play such a vital role in every community. Over the past four years, I have been working with our dedicated senior center board to bring about fundamental updates that ultimately benefit our seniors. The senior center is seeing an increase in membership, added programs, and has formed a new partnership with Fairfield County Meal on Wheels. If you haven’t heard, beginning October 1, senior center members can enjoy a free breakfast or lunch Monday-Friday from 8:30-12:30. Donations accepted. Our seniors are doing great things to support our community!

Vote November 4 to keep Lori Sanders as trustee and keep Violet Township strong.