Democrats will have their choice of candidates in tomorrow's primary with seven people running for the Democratic Party nomination.
Two commissioner seats are open this year, with incumbent Mark Sullivan running uncontested and seven democratic candidates for the second seat.
Charlie Adkins, 53, of Albany, Bob Baughman, 53, of Nelsonville, Douglas Davis, 65, of Trimble, Chad Kister, 37, of Nelsonville, Aliene Linwood of Athens, Jim Pancake, 60, of Nelsonville and David Ratliff of Athens are vying for current Commissioner Bill Theisen's seat. The position has a $55,524 salary.
Adkins, a retired OU brick mason, said he is qualified for the position because of his 20 years of experience as the president of the AFSCME local 1699 union. Through his work with the union and 12 years working for the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System, Adkins has worked with up to $74 billion budgets.
The retirement system has a budget that is larger than this county's budget
Adkins said, citing his budgeting, bargaining and mediation skills as assets. None of my opponents or anyone that holds the office has my particular skills.
Adkins said he wants to work with the innovation center at Ohio University and Hocking College to create more jobs in Athens County. Adkins is also concerned about the sewer system between Athens and Albany meeting EPA regulations.
Baughman, a wastewater plant operator, said his experience with federal and local agencies in the public and private sector qualify him for the position. Baughman has worked in the Nelsonville City Council, the National Interagency Fire Center and Southeast Ohio EMS as well as private businesses.
Coming from City Council and seeing the progress made in the county it is the next step up to see that things continue on he said. I have a pretty good understanding of what it takes through all branches of the government on the local level.
Baughman said his biggest concern is finding ways to get residents jobs. He hopes to do that in a variety of ways, including promoting the power plants opening in Meigs County and providing smaller facilities to encourage businesses to locate to Athens County. He also wants to keep the $15 license plate fee at least until the about 300 bridges in the county are repaired.
Davis, owner of 3D Body Shop for cars and Mayor of Trimble for the last 10 years, said that his experience in the Village of Trimble government and his work with different government agencies make him a valuable candidate for commissioner.
I have a good working relationship with agencies throughout the county and the state he said. I feel that even as a small town mayor
the same principles apply to the county.
Davis said he would like to work with legislators to improve the lives of veterans and senior citizens and attract businesses to Athens County.
I just want to see a lot more economic growth back in Athens County
he said. Years ago there used to be a lot of businesses like where I used to work down at AVEC Corporation and McBees. Now they are all gone.
Kister, an author, filmmaker and presenter, said his travels during speaking tours have allowed him to tour innovative facilities for wind farms, recycling systems and mass transit, which he hopes to integrate into the Athens area. Kister said the two biggest problems facing the county are poverty and a lack of transportation options, both of which can be aided with a public transportation system.
A bus system county-wide can help people get to work without a car
let alone two
he said. The poorest people in the county spend tremendous amounts of money on keeping their cars running.
Linwood, a part-time professor of public administration at the University of Rio Grande, said her time spent outside Athens gives her a unique opportunity to cater to all county residents. Linwood said the county has a good old boy network that responds to a certain type of citizen.
All of the outlying small villages get left behind as far as good roads
water and sewer systems
she said.
Linwood said public officials in Athens should hold more public meetings in the community, rather than at the courthouse or other county and city buildings to improve communication.
We need input from the citizens and taxpayers every time we make big decisions in the county
she said.
Pancake, of Logan's WLGN radio, said his work on campaigns for former commissioner Broc Irwin, as well as current commissioners Theisen and Sullivan make him the most well-known candidate.
I've been a part of county politics for years
he said. Everyone except out-of-towners knows me.
Pancake said he would donate $10,000 per year of his commissioner salary toward opening a cat shelter and improving the dog shelter. He also said the first action he wants to take in office is to remove the $15 license tax, which he thinks is unnecessary.
That tax was put on by the commissioners in the 1980s to repair bridges throughout the county
