Red-light Cameras Shot Down in Heath, Chillicothe

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 3:11 AM
By Josh Jarman
The Columbus Dispatch

Voters yesterday ended a contentious debate between Heath officials and a group of residents upset by the city's installation of 10 red-light and speed-enforcement cameras this summer. A ballot issue to restrict the use of the cameras passed with 51 percent of the vote yesterday, according to final, unofficial results.

Heath Mayor Richard Waugh, who narrowly lost his re-election bid after a campaign that focused on the camera issue, said the drop in tickets resulting from the cameras between their installation in June and last month show that they are working to reduce speeders.
Camera opponents say the numbers actually reflect a growing number of motorists who are avoiding the city.

"I hope our group gains some credibility," camera opponent Ronnie Kidd said. "We want a safer Heath, but we want it done the right way."

Chillicothe voters approved a similar issue against the cameras, with 72 percent choosing yesterday to limit them in final, unofficial results. Several members of the group, Citizens Against Photo Enforcement, also sought election to City Council seats, and many said public anger about the cameras is sure to work against the incumbents.

In Heath, where cameras generated $554,729 in fees in their first two months of operation, Waugh said he thinks the council should leave $100,000 in the city's general fund and devote another $100,000 to safety improvements along Rt. 79. The rest should be used to pay down debt, he said.