“I’m really just grateful to the citizens of Oakwood in trusting in me and I promise not to let them down,” Dorf said.
The University of Dayton professor said his first weeks in office will be spent “listening” much the same way he does during office hours during his day job.
“I think the smart thing for anyone in a new position to do is to listen,” Dorf said. He plans to continue conversations with business leaders in Oakwood and across the reason to strengthen the town’s business base.
Turben was the lone incumbent running for one of two open seats.
She was appointed to council in February 2021 to fill the seat of Chris Epley who was elected to be a judge on the Second District Court of Appeals. Turben was elected to a four-year term in November.
During her campaign this year, she said placed clean and safe drinking water, a re-energized business district and stronger cybersecurity at the top of her priority list.
“Much of our water infrastructure is aging ― some underground lines are over 100 years old. In addition, proposed legislation will require the removal of all lead service lines. The decision we make in the coming years will be critical to the health and well-being of our citizens,” she said.
Dorf spent his 13 years as an Oakwood resident putting together community improvement organizations before deciding to run this year.
He founded Citizens for a Better Oakwood, co-founded the Oakwood Inclusion Coalition and the Oakwood Pride Picnic.
Dorf was the target of a mail campaign questioning whether he is a Marxist, an allegation he vehemently denied.
“I am a committed community leader with years of experience in collaborative governance, strategic planning, change management and community advocacy,” he said.
Incumbents return to Oakwood schools
In the race for the Oakwood City Schools Board of Education, voters returned the incumbent candidates to office, according to final, unofficial results from the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Incumbents Laura Middleton (29.70%), Lauren Kawai (27.75%) and John Wilson (26.56%) won the three available seats. Lone newcomer Sarah Bourne won 15.99% of the vote, according to unofficial results.
Kawai has served as co-president for MOMs of Oakwood and on the Oakwood Farmers’ Market Board and Citizens for a Better Oakwood in addition to serving as a room parent for the last 10 years.
Middleton has been board vice president for three years after being elected in 2021.
“I am particularly proud of maintaining our record of academic excellence, improving communication and transparency, and supporting the whole child,” Middleton said.
Wilson was re-elected to his third term. He served as board president for three years.
Wilson said his first goal is a continued focus on fiscal responsibility, and seeking public/private funding partnerships to offset rising tax responsibilities on the community.
Oakwood Schools routinely score among the highest locally in the state of Ohio Department of Education and Workforce District Report Cards, including a five-star rating on the most recent report.
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