2021 Candidate Questionnaire on
Environmental Sustainability
Candidate Responses: Ed Hastie
[email protected]
614-940-5003
Environmental Sustainability
Candidate Responses: Ed Hastie
[email protected]
614-940-5003
- Background
What would you like Grandview residents to know about your background, as it relates to the environment, climate, and conservation? If applicable, please describe any relevant educational, career, or service experience you have.
I am a lifelong resident of Grandview Heights, having graduated from Grandview Heights High School here in 1996. I currently reside on Broadview with my wife (Marissa) and two sons (Edward – 11, and Henry 7). I am a graduate of Ohio University (BBA – Finance), and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (JD). I own Hastie Law Office (a boutique firm on Grandview Ave) and own multiple bars/restaurants in the area. My wife is a speech language pathologist.
My first job out of law school was as Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. I proudly represented the Solid Waste Division, Division of Emergency and Remedial Response (DERR), and prosecuted environmental crimes through out the State of Ohio, all for the Ohio EPA. I worked on several important cases involving illegally overfilled landfills, remediation of the Greater Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, and uncovering a bribery ring involving solid waste disposal in NE Ohio. I also sat on the Advisory Board for C.O.T.A for several years.
On a more informal level, I have a taken part in numerous tree plantings, litter pickups, and other clean-up related throughout my youth and adulthood. As a kid, my family was one of the first to recycle and we would regularly drive down to the recycling center as a family. - Priorities, Values, and Philosophy
To what extent do environmental concerns drive your priorities as a citizen and candidate for City Council? Please share your philosophy and values as they relate to the environment and sustainability.
Like any sensible person, I prioritize the environment/sustainability in my personal and professional life. We have made a commitment as a City to prioritize environmental concerns as part of all operations and decision making. Our community has always tried to lead by example with city mandated recycling, encouraging food waste/composting, rain barrel legislation, and legislation to make solar energy more feasible. If reelected, I will continue to emphasize these important initiatives. - Greenspace
Describe the importance of our community’s parks, greenspace, and tree canopy to you. As a City Council member, what steps would you take, if any, to preserve and/or expand these local assets?
Our green space/parks are an integral park of our cities identity and foundation. On my term on council we have redone or renovated most/all parks and recreational facilities in the City. We also added a large green space (DeGraw Park) in the Grandview Yard. I intend to keep the focus on maintaining our beautiful parks and positioning the city to incorporate green space into all future civic development.
I’m proud of Grandview’s longstanding designation as a “Tree City USA”, but have recently learned more about robust goals for tree canopy coverage and the like. It’s my understanding your group has done research on it, I would love to learn more, both as a civic leader and for my own edification. - Transportation
Describe your views and/or policy positions on transportation in Grandview. What should the City’s priorities be in this domain? Please share any specific ideas or proposals related to pedestrian and bicycle routes, public transit, and/or electric vehicle infrastructure.
Grandview has a unique opportunity re: alternative forms of transportation as it is a truly bikeable/walkable neighborhood. We are also fortunate to be near many bike paths and parks in Central Ohio. We should prioritize linking into these initiatives. As to busing and electric cars – I sat several years on the advisory board of COTA and I wrote the legislation legalizing underspeed vehicles (USV) in Grandview Heights. I also own an electric USV.
In the event the new city building is authorized, I will push for public charging stations at the new location. - Solid Waste
What are your positions on trash, food waste, recycling, litter, and single-use plastics? What, if anything, can Grandview do better in these domains, and what specific policies or programs would you pursue as a member of Council?
I regularly support and will continue to support initiatives that help reduce solid waste, encourage recycling, and am proud of the cities food waste drop off initiative. We should continue to focus on these initiatives. We are lucky to have our own full service trash/recycling programs which gives us a chance to adapt quickly to any initiatives in the future. I would love to hear more from your group about your ideas. - Renewable Resources
Renewable electricity is now cost-competitive with traditional sources of electricity – and it continues to trend downward in price. Do you support joining other leading Central Ohio cities – including Columbus, Bexley and Grove City – in giving Grandview residents and businesses the choice of cost-competitive, 100% renewable electricity?
I support doing whatever is necessary to give Grandview Heights residents and businesses the choice of of cost-competitive renewable energy. I also support our new civic building having a renewable energy component. - Environmental Toxins
Environmental toxins, such as lead and coal tar, pose significant threats to human health. What should Grandview’s role be in mitigating the presence of these toxins in our air, homes, businesses, and waterways?
I support the pending legislation regarding coal tar ban. As to lead piping, I believe this is an issue that will have movement in the near future.