In 2004, Seneca County elected a pair of new commissioners to the board.
Now, eight years later, commissioners Dave Sauber and Ben Nutter are leaving office, making room for newly elected commissioners Fred Zoeller and Holly Stacy.
"I'm just proud of everything we got accomplished," Sauber said. "It was hard to get defeated, but I totally understand because you can't make everyone happy."
The two commissioners' list of accomplishments in office include the new juvenile youth center, the new SCAT building, renovating the building that is now the commissioners office and improving the Seneca County Airport.
"It's been a great eight years; I've thoroughly enjoyed it," Nutter said. "I've been honored to be a multi-term elected official for Seneca County. I think we've accomplished some really good things."
Both Sauber and Nutter cited the former commissioners' approval of the sales tax increase, after voters turned it down, as one of the main reasons they decided to seek office.
"I would complain to my wife incessantly," Nutter said. "And one day she said, 'You know what Ben, I love you, but either do something about it or shut up.' So I decided to run and I was very fortunate and very lucky to win."
Sauber lost his first race for commissioner to Kenny Estep, but ran again two years later and won.
"I got interested in politics mostly because it seemed like we weren't progressing much here in Seneca County," he said. "It was the same ol', same ol'. It didn't seem like we were growing, so I ran for that position. That's how I got into it, and I've loved every minute of it since I've come here. It's a very interesting job."
Sauber's term as commissioner expires Jan. 2. He lost to Holly Stacy in the primary; Stacy went on to defeat Paul Shoemaker in the November general election."It's difficult because when I was running in the primary, the courthouse was coming down," he said. "I think it was difficult for people to support myself or anyone else (who was in office at that time). You get bunched together here. If two commissioners vote yes and one commissioner votes no, they don't realize that. It's just the commissioners."
In addition to voting against tearing down the 1884 Courthouse, Sauber did not agree with the commissioners' decision to sell Seneca County Museum.
"People don't forget; I believe those two things, right there in themselves were the downfall," Sauber said. "For me, it was the worst decision that this board of commissioners has ever made, to tear down that building."
Nutter, who along with commissioner Jeff Wagner voted to tear down the courthouse, said one of the biggest disappointments during his tenure was not being able to financially find a way to salvage the building.
Nutter also said he is proud commissioners addressed the issue of the courthouse after years of being neglected. He said commissioners have made strides in building maintenance to avoid future problems.
Sauber said one of the things he wished he would have been able to accomplish during his time in office was get a comprehensive road study done.
"We worked very hard on that to get the state of Ohio to help us improve our roadways, for safety and also for our commerce," he said. "We have made some progress as far as South SR 53, they have addressed that area, and that's really coming right along. For Seneca County to grow, we need to improve our highways."
Sauber said he plans to run for commissioner again, and cited the juvenile court problem as one of the biggest reasons he wants to come back.
"I want to thank the citizens of Seneca County for allowing me to be commissioner for eight years," Sauber said. "It's been a great time. I really enjoyed it; learned a ton.
"I do want to thank all the Seneca County departments. Without their help, elected officials could never have reduced the budget by 18 percent and been able to continue to provide the services the community deserves."
Nutter, whose term expires Jan. 3 said he does not plan on running for office again soon because he wants to spend more time with his family, but he said we would consider it someday.
"We have the greatest county, in my opinion, in the greatest state, in the greatest country in the world," Nutter said. "I firmly believe that; I've always believed that. That's why I stay here. I think this community is exactly what it should be, and I think it will continue to prosper."
