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Mark Sullivan

Sullivan makes his case, prepares for race

Mark Sullivan has faced a barrage of domestic and legal troubles over the past year, and now the Athens County Commissioner is facing a slew of opponents who have announced their candidacy for next fall’s election.

“I just hope that when the truth and facts come out, the public will understand,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he is fighting to protect his children and his commissioner’s seat in next year’s election after a year that included four misdemeanors, a civil protection order filed against him by his wife, allegations of marijuana growth in his backyard and filing for divorce.

In March, Sullivan was charged with domestic violence following an altercation with his wife, Tammie Sullivan, in his Millfield home.

Although his wife admitted to initiating the altercation, Mark Sullivan was charged because police policy instructs officers to arrest the party that inflicted more damage to the other.

Mark Sullivan said his lawyer believed he could win the court case, but he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge rather than subject his children to the stresses of testifying in court.

After Tammie accused him of having an affair in July, Sullivan said he told his wife that she needed to seek mental “help,” or he would file for divorce.

Sullivan said he left the Millfield residence with his two children July 19, moving in with his mother. The children’s biological mother died of cancer prior to his marriage to Tammie, Sullivan added.

The next day, Tammie called the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and claimed marijuana was being grown in the backyard of his home, according to a previous Post article.

“I have no clue where the pot came from,” said Sullivan, regarding the 39 pot plants seized.

Tammie then threatened to ruin Mark’s political career and take his children away if he tried to file for divorce, according to court documents.

“Tammie can be very kind, but she can turn on the drop of a dime,” Sullivan said. “She can do things out of vengeance.”

Tammie filed for a civil protection order July 21, citing an incident in which her husband punched, bloodied and bruised her, according to the document.

“I would like to ask the court for protection from Mark Sullivan,” Tammie said in her petition. “I am fearful because he said he would kill me if I said anything.”

Sullivan denied the accusations of threatening Tammie’s life and the civil protection order was voluntarily dismissed Aug. 3, according to court documents.

“I was extremely disappointed that the judge signed for a court order without even checking with me,” said Sullivan. “I didn’t even get a call or a chance to say anything.”

Mark Sullivan filed for divorce from his wife Aug. 23.

Sullivan said that he could not stay in the relationship because of the caustic effects it could have on his children, adding that he hopes Tammie “receives the help she needs.”

The commissioner said that he has done his best to prevent his legal and personal troubles from affecting his work.

Fellow commissioner Lenny Eliason said he does not think Sullivan should resign because he has continued to attend meetings and is “doing his job.”

During his time in office, Sullivan said, he and the other commissioners have done a great job preventing a deficit while many of the neighboring counties have struggled.

“We had to make cuts,” Sullivan said. “But I think we are in the top 10 counties in Ohio.”

Sullivan said that despite his performance on the job, some are looking to capitalize on the negative effects of the allegations.

Former Nelsonville City Councilman Bob Baughman, Ohio University senior Ibriham Alassaf and Shade, Ohio, resident Mike O’Brien have recently announced their candidacies for Sullivan’s seat in the 2012 election.

So far, Sullivan is the only candidate to have filed his candidacy petition with the Athens County Board of Elections.

“I did nothing wrong,” Sullivan said. “If I had, I would have resigned. I wouldn’t be running again.”

rc348710@ohiou.edu

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