The candidates racing to secure a seat among the Athens County Commissioners on Election Day both are counting on their previous political experience to help them win.
Democratic incumbent, Mark Sullivan, has served as an Athens County Commissioner for the past six years.
Opponent Fred Davis, a Republican, has served on the Alexander Local School District Board of Education for 23 years and said his experience with area residents, state legislators and balancing budgets will make him a strong candidate for the position.
He stressed improving communications between the commissioners and the public, office holders and the press.
I've always stressed being open and honest with the public about any concerns
Davis said.
Sullivan also cited the importance of good communication with office holders and the public.
I've had an open-doors policy for my six years in office he said. If I'm in my office -and I work 50 plus hours a week -you can walk into my office without an appointment.
Sullivan defended the way he and the other commissioners have handled the county's economy during this term.
I will continue to manage taxpayers' money the way I have for the past six years and that's very frugally
he said.
Davis objected to the way money has been handled during Sullivan's terms, saying the commissioners need to focus more on long-term planning to manage the budget properly. Many times a short-term fix becomes a long-term problem
Davis said. You have to be on top of what your long-term debt is because it can come back to haunt you in lean economic times.
Combining the building of small businesses and working to retain the ones in existence was Davis' suggestion for improving the economy and the employment rate.
He said the improvements would necessitate a county-wide teamwork approach.
I think everybody has a role to play -not any one entity
Davis said.
While Sullivan has been in office, he said he has worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce and has seen the county's poverty decrease from 33 percent to 28 percent.
We've had success in this term
he said. Even in this term with a Republican economy
the Democrats did a good job in Athens County.
Sullivan is a Millfield resident and is married with four children. Davis resides in Athens and is married with three children.
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