Commission candidates offer information

Seneca County voters are to fill two open commissioner seats Nov. 4.

Voters are to choose from among independent Terry Love, Democratic incumbent Ben Nutter and Republican Holly Stacy to fill one of the two seats.

Love, Nutter and Stacy share about their key experiences preparing them to serve as commissioner, about the critical issues for the county, about their approach to the job and their long-term vision for the county.

Terry Love

n Hopewell-Loudon High School, 1983; bachelor's degree in mass communication, Bowling Green State University.

n St. John United Church of Christ, Fostoria; former member of Fostoria Footlighters; served four years on Ritz Players board, current member.

n Currently the hospitality director for the Ritz Theater, Tiffin. Previously employed with Sodexho-Marriott Food Services, Tiffin University; partner in online business,

thekeeneredge.com.

Key experience

While I do not believe any experience can effectively prepare you for public office, from childhood I have had the good fortune of being a member of a small country church. This has given me a useful and strong moral compass to guide me. I have been an avid student of politics and current affairs; Keeping up to date on current legislation, laws, and ethical standards; Helping to write the grant that allowed Hopewell-Loudon to start its breakfast program.

My education has afforded me the skills to forge relationships needed to move the county forward, communicate my opinions, examine and understand all sides of an issue and make decisions for the county's welfare. The experiences I have had while running for office have been eye-opening. I understand the temptation to state no actual position or to say what the person you are talking to wants to hear. I have confronted that trap and will not fall victim to it.

Critical issues

The overriding issue facing our county is its economic stability and growth. I doubt anyone will deny that the economic climate in Seneca county has worsened over the past 4 years under the current leadership. The reductions of employment at National Machinery, the loss of American Standard, and the announced losses of Honeywell and Thyssen-Krupp, along with the losses of several small businesses around the area all are part of the economic decline. With the state's continued belt-tightening and its institution of the CAT tax; we need an expanding local economy to offset the losses in funding.

Approach

I have been talking to leaders in other counties and cities about how they have turned around their economies. The emerging industries of Wind and Solar and the recent passage of the 25 percent by 2025 bill in Ohio herald unprecedented opportunities for our county's economic future. We have servicemen that will be returning from Iraq soon. I have a plan that will make them a huge asset and an economic boon to the county. We have two universities in the county. I have a plan that will utilize our educational resources to benefit our own economy and to make us more attractive to emerging industry.

Vision

My vision of Seneca County is to be a stable and growing community economically, while retaining its agrarian character; a place where our children can find gainful employment without being forced to move elsewhere. I will not go the route of cutting back on services to try to survive as long as possible, forcing industries to leave as a result of curtailed services.

I am invested in this community. I live here, I work here, I shop and dine in Fostoria and Tiffin, New Riegel, Bloomville and Republic. I know we can succeed, but we must change our current course. The question is, do we accept that decline is inevitable? Or do you believe, as I do, that opportunities are all around us, for those who can think outside of the box.

Ben Nutter

n BBA, Tiffin University, 1991; Additional Graduate level course work in Business Admin/ Accounting; Over the last four years I have attended graduate level public administration classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.

n American Veterans Club; Eagles; Elks; Optimist Club; International Association of Professional Firefighters;

n County commissioner; Tiffin firefighter; Served as the President of Seneca County Family and Children First Council, President of Seneca County Regional Planning, Treasurer of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, and the Board of Directors for Ottawa, Seneca, Sandusky solid waste district.

Key experience

My wife Lisa and I are lifelong Seneca County residents and have been married for 15 years. We live north of Tiffin with our two children Colin and Addison. I am unaware of any life experience that can better prepare one for public service than being a husband and father. Of the titles I have held over the years, husband and father are the ones I am most proud.

Since 1996 it has been my great pleasure to serve as a firefighter for the City of Tiffin. The flexibility of my schedule as a firefighter has allowed me to work "full time" as commissioner. I believe this is an exceptional benefit to the county because I am not a "career" politician and I am willing to make difficult decisions for the county. I have made decisions based on what I believed was best for Seneca County and not what I thought would look good for "re-election." If re-elected I will continue in this same manner.

Critical issues

The critical issues facing Seneca County remain fiscal in nature. In the last four years we have reduced the county's debt by more than $1.7 million dollars. At the end of the 2007 fiscal year the county had over $1.8 million in un-appropriated cash reserves. In 2006 we invested over $1.2 million in jail improvements without increasing the county's debt. These improvements account for around $2 million a year in revenue for Seneca County from the housing of federal detainees.

As a commissioner I have created an environment where private entities invest in economic development and thus create jobs. In the last four years there has been just under $200,000 million dollars in private investment in the county-$200,000 million dollars that has gone to increase the economic development of the county.

Since taking office in 2005 it has been my number one priority to be fiscally responsible with your tax dollars. We have implemented many policies that make Seneca County more efficient and cost effective, including the implementation of an electronic budget process, information technologies consulting and the renegotiation of service contracts at a savings of over $50,000 per year.

Approach

In the last four years we have developed long range master plans, including the Seneca County Airport and Seneca County space utilization plans. We have also constructed specific strategic plans as it relates to our fiscal policies. In the next for years I intend to develop individual strategic plans with all other departments and elected officials within Seneca County. These policies will place Seneca County in a great position to take advantage of the next economic upswing.

Vision

My long term vision for Seneca County is:

n Five years from now, the commissioners office will be a key team player with local businesses and citizens, working to maintain a proud, family-oriented community.

n We will be fully prepared to administer budgets, develop economic opportunities, and provide appropriate and adequate work space for elected officials and department heads in cooperation with both public and private entities.

n Our mission "to provide efficient, effective and fiscally responsible government to the residents and visitors of Seneca County to improve our overall quality of life" will be accomplished by a healthy, intelligent, and increasingly diverse workforce, well-trained and empowered with a high level of participation in our success.

Holly M. Stacy

n B.S. in agriculture, The Ohio State University; M.B.A., Tiffin University.

n President, Old Fort Board of Education; Seneca Farm Bureau; O.S.U. Alumni Association; Sigma Alpha Agricultural Sorority Alumni Association, life member; Rotary, Grace Community Church 4-H advisor; Leadership Sandusky County board member; Sandusky County Economic Development Corp. board of trustees; Downtown Fremont Organizational Committee; League of Women Voters.

n President/CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County, 2003 present; Senior Public Involvement Manager, HNTB Ohio, 1999 2003; Director of Communications, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, 1997 1999; Public Information Officer, Ohio Department of Transportation, District 2, 1994 1997; Ohio State University Extension, ABE Center and Sandusky County 4-H Agent, 1989 -1994.

Key experience

I think all of my education and work experience has prepared me to serve as a county commissioner. To narrow it down, I would have to say serving on the School Board and working for State and County agencies. Serving the public in both of these instances has been ideal experience for serving as a county commissioner. As a commissioner must engage with the public and seek their input, along with oversee the county government according to the law. The same holds true when serving on the school board and working for state and county agencies.

Critical issues

The critical issues for Seneca County right now are the financial condition of the county and overall community-wide collaboration. The recent concerns with the financial records of the county could be extremely detrimental to the county ability to maintain bonding authority. As well, all the agencies and stakeholders within the county need to function seamlessly given the common goal of keeping Seneca County as a good place to work, live and raise our families. Collaborating when accountabilities cross-over, as well as when it comes to concerns such as county office space, is a must. Each individual group working towards the common goal needs to understand the role of the other contributing partners and each partner needs to be held accountable. A dysfunctional community is a major concern to outsiders looking in.

Approach

I will use strong leadership and management skills to help with current and future challenges in the county. As a commissioner I can use my leadership ability to generate positive community involvement amongst the major stakeholders, which includes the agencies and the citizens. Leadership involves listening and actively being engaged in the effort. My management experience will help me to be part of the positive solutions to addressing county wide concerns.

Vision

My long-term vision for Seneca County is to see a community grow its tax base with an increase in business investments. That investment will link to making improvements in our transportation assets as needed. My vision includes seeing the population growing as the workforce advances towards more high tech jobs. I want to see the schools to continually improve and the community pride to increase. All and all, each aspect of this vision is contingent on the others; therefore my vision includes having a cohesive group of community leaders working together for the betterment of Seneca County.