Meet the Neighbors – Brimfield

By Kelsey Leyva, Jason Meek and Jennifer Roberts

Connie Kunkle, secretary at Kent State University
Connie Kunkle considers Brimfield’s school district an important issue. With the township unable to pass school levies, the schools lack funding for services like busing. She is also concerned about the property values in the township.
Kunkle said the current controversy with former Brimfield police chief David Oliver was surprising. “It was exciting having someone kind of famous, so it’s sad,” Kunkle said.

Gregory Walker, retired

Gregory Walker, Brimfield resident of 23 years, knew former Brimfield police chief David Oliver and was surprised to hear about his misconduct. “There are oddballs no matter where you go,” Walker said.
When asked about his community, Walker said that he felt safe and gave examples of how close he and his neighbors are. “I can leave my keys in my car and know it will be there in the morning,” he said.

Walker said many people in the community are upset about the bussing cuts to Field Schools, but won’t vote for the levies because “they think the schools should manage their money a little better.”

Sean Dailey, works for U.S. military

Sean Dailey is among those in Brimfield who think the school district and busing are important issues. High school students who live within two miles of their school don’t have the option to take a bus. Daily believes all students should have equal access to busing, but he did not vote in favor of the recent school levies. “There’s no reason they shouldn’t bus high school students,” said Dailey. “I think it’s the schools trying to strong-arm the people to pass levies.”
When asked about the recent controversy involving former police chief David Oliver, Dailey said he would wait to make any judgment until more information was available.

Julie Worthy, 27, Hibbet Sports

Julie Worthy said she doesn’t have too many concerns about the township of Brimfield. Her opinion of the situation with the former police chief David Oliver is that he got too carried away with his fame. She said she thinks Oliver did some good for the town, but his social media posts “needed to be more about what’s going on here in the community.”

Worthy grew up in Brimfield and said she’s never seen a school levy pass. She still has a brother in the school system. Although he can drive now, there were times before when Worthy and other family members had to drive him to school because of the bus cuts, which she called “frustrating.” She doesn’t think the situation will improve any time soon.

“I think now everyone is used to it being that way,” she said.