Issues & Answers – My Background
The March 6, 2024 edition of the Perry County Tribune offered Perry County candidates for public office an opportunity to answer six questions. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 150 words. I complied with those restrictions to the letter. However, with my website, I have the opportunity to provide you with more in-depth responses if you wish to read them. Here is my full answer to the first question:
Please share your background, experience, qualifications, why you are seeking the commissioner position, and what you feel distinguishes you from the other candidate in the race.
I have lived in Perry County all my life. Graduated from Sheridan HS in 1979 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, to serve my country and the defense of the citizens and our U.S. Constitution and was honorably discharged. I graduated from Zane State with an Associates degree in Parks Recreation and Wildlife, I graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy & Ag Business.
I am a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Catholic church, where I am an active member serving as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
I spent 30 years working as Administrator with the Perry Soil and Water Conservation District, serving the Conservation and Natural Resource needs of the farmers and landowners of Perry County. With my election in 2016, I began my career serving Perry County as Perry County Commissioner 1/2/2017. On 12/31/24, I will complete my second term as Perry County commissioner, and I am seeking election to a third term in office.
My wife Katrina and I operate a small farm, Mt. Airy Ranch. We raise herds of grass-fed Black Angus and Texas Longhorn cattle. Mt. Airy Beef is the name of our beef production business and the food truck we operate. We have five grown children and twelve grandchildren.
With my education and 38 years of experience within Perry County Government, I am the most qualified candidate on the ballot. I believe my record of accomplishments as a two term Commissioner speaks for itself.
I spend a great deal of full-time work and energy for Perry County on the responsibilities of a County Commissioner. In February of 2017, my second month in office, I created Coffee with some Commissioners, a monthly breakfast meeting to create and foster networking opportunities with community leaders and citizens alike, and held at Dodson’s on Broadway in New Lexington. The breakfast gives me and everyone attending a chance to find out more about what’s happening in Perry County from the people who are actually making things happen. It is a great opportunity for me to listen.
That same month I also initiated a monthly TV appearance on WHIZ-TV, to give me an opportunity to share the great work around Perry County with a wider audience. I also brought back monthly “public comment” opportunities to allow the public to address the Board of Commissioners on any topic. Never before me has Perry County had a commissioner initiate and sustain such examples of transparency and public outreach.
The Perry County Board of Commissioners are members of various regional boards. This membership enables us to bring more resources to Perry County. As your County Commissioner, I represent Perry County on the following regional councils and boards:
Hocking Athens Perry Community Action HAPCAP
Buckeye Hills Regional Council BHRC
Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission MORPC
Family & Children First Council (FCFC)
Coshocton Licking Fairfield Perry Solid Waste District (CLFP)
Multi County Juvenile Detention Center (MCJDC)
MCJDC Board of Trustees
County 911 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Treasurer/Finance Committee
Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA)
Throughout my term I have written countless articles and submitted them to the Perry County Tribune regarding the County, and to my knowledge, I am the only Commissioner to do so. I continue to have a passion and dedication to serving the people of Perry County, therefore I am running for re-election to a third term as your Perry County Commissioner. This website provides an exhaustive list of my work and accomplishments.
