The county commissioners are the general administrative body for Athens County. Their powers are outlined in ORC 307.
Athens County Independent Candidate Survey
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing Athens County/southeast Ohio?
Poverty, we have so many people in need of support. Our enormous challenge is to change the culture of poverty. To provide the tools and resources to families needing to establish a self-sufficient life. Even if we have an impact on one family at a time.
Editor’s note: The “culture of poverty,” a that concept emerged in the 1960s, asserts that generational poverty is a product of cultural attitudes, values and habits — not economic trends or government policy. The idea of a culture of poverty has been criticized as classist and racist.
Nearly ¼ of Athens County residents live below the poverty line. What would you do to reduce poverty in our community?
I’m currently working with the Albany Industrial park leadership in Lee Township , Tyson Industrial park in York Township new spec building and working with a local private developer on a industrial park east of Athens that is and will bring more good paying jobs.
Editor’s note: The Independent is working to verify this information.
The USDA has designated much of Athens County as “low food access” — fewer grocery stores, lack of transportation to grocery stores and ability to pay for food. How would you address this issue?
Continue the work we are doing now. We have tripled are transportation system with no new levys, continue giving vouchers to folks for the farmers market, continue supporting Job and family services on their effort to feed our people in need. Support our food pantries.
The system is broken when they split townships in a county and when the Ohio supreme Court rules over and over that it is broke the people have no choice, but create a better system.
In a 2022 survey, a majority of residents of rural Athens County identified concerns they felt were “very important.” How would you work to address these issues if you are elected?
Reduce healthcare and prescription costs?
We do not have the ability to control these costs at our level, but have advocated for increased access to Medicare pricing to be shared by all.
Reduce food and grocery costs?
Not something we can control at our level.
Repair local roads and bridges?
We support the Engineer’s efforts to get Federal and State grants. We advocate for Ohio Public Works money.
Reduce utility costs?
I support programs that help low to moderate income people to insulate their homes reducing their costs.
Improve mental health services?
This area is under the 317 Board. We appoint people to the Board that are advocates for services.
Clean up polluted areas and improve water quality?
We have built a new sewer collection system on US 50 and are working on other targeted areas in the county. We requested the State to test the water in areas of County affecting fracking and this is being done.
Create more living-wage jobs that don’t require a college degree?
We have increased our own wages for employees. We do provide for tax incentives to the businesses that create new jobs.
Improve access to affordable college and vocational training?
I work directly with the Director of Jobs and Family Services to support our Ohio Means Jobs programs which includes the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for adult and dislocated person training and certification offered through places like OU, Hocking, and Tri-County.
Improve K-12 education?
This is responsibility of the state and local Boards of Education.
Support local small businesses?
I am a member of the Athens County Development Council which provides assistance to small businesses.
Reader-submitted questions
How could the U.S. 50 sewer project have been better managed?
Looking back a sewer hot line would have been helpful so I as a Commissioner could here directly from the residents.
What are the county’s plans for climate adaptation — specifically flooding?
The Army Corp of Engineers is currently conducting a study on the Hocking River in Athens County. I will support their recommendations and make sure the County planner is enforcing all floodplain regulations.
What can the commissioners do to promote businesses and economic development in Nelsonville? It seems that all the city receives are social services, when we need a diverse economy.
Work with groups the people in Nelsonville to see what is possible. The new sewer plant should allow for growth within the Nelsonville area.
