The March 15 primary election has real significance for Morrow County this year. Five of the six county races have only Republican candidates, which means that five elected county officials will be chosen in the primary.

They include: County Commissioner (term beginning Jan. 3 of 2017), Clerk of Courts, Prosecutor, Sheriff and State Representative.

County Commissioner candidates (term beginning Jan. 3 of 2017)

Warren Davis

Warren Davis has been a North Bloomfield Township Trustee for eight years. He would like to see more community involvement with some commissioner meetings out around the county. He suggested having some evening meetings so that more working people could attend Commissioner meetings, which are now held only on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

Richard ‘Dick’ Miller

Incumbent, Richard ‘Dick’ Miller received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Urbana University. He spoke of his many years of business experience. He was owner of Miller Realty and a manager at Consolidated Electric Coop. for 25 years. Miller served in the military and Army National Guard. He said his theme as a candidate four years ago was ‘We can do better.” This year his theme is ‘We are doing better.”

Both Davis and Miller endorse the Morrow County Roads Levy on the ballot March 15.

County Commissioner candidates (term beginning Jan. 2, 2017)

Mike Porter

Mike Porter is the only Democrat in a six man race. Porter is in his second term as Mount Gilead Mayor. Porter spoke of his business experience as owner and manager of Porters’ Restaurant in Mount Gilead. In addition to business experience, Porter has served on the Democrat Central Committee, Habitat for Humanity and has been active in the Presbyterian Church in Mount Gilead.

Loren Altizer

Loren Altizer is visiting several community groups in the county to hear concerns and get acquainted. He is President of the Highland School Board, on the Highland Park Board and Highland Sports Assoc. Altizer emphasizes the importance of seeking efficiency in government and eliminating waste in government agencies. He believes his experience as National Accounts Manager for a major global company will help in economic development for the future of the county.

Burgess Castle

Burgess Castle researched the problems of Morrow County roads by visiting surrounding counties and reporting his findings to commissioners last year. He fought the land fill development in Harmony Township and is a Township Trustee, on the Big Walnut Fire District, and Board of Zoning Appeals. He is a Highland High School graduate and a U.S. veteran. Castle is the owner of the Boondocks Restaurant in Fulton and two businesses in the Marengo area.

Dennis Leader

Dennis Leader was appointed to the Commissioner’s seat held by Tom Harden. He is a graduate of the Ohio State University Fisher School of Business. He served as Chairman of the Morrow County Hospital Board of Trustees and several other boards and committees in the area. He has business experience as Principal of Leader Financial Group LLC and is owner/operator of real estate and a farm operation in Morrow County. He was also Division Office Manager for Mutual of Omaha in Columbus.

Dan Levering

Dan Levering was in the Levering Plumbing and Heating Business of his family for 43 years. He served on the Cardington-Lincoln School Board for 21 years and six years with the youth baseball association. He stated that he would be on the job full-time as county commissioner.

Greg Mooney

Greg Mooney brings experience as a civil engineer to the task of commissioner. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil engineering from Oklahoma State University. He remarked that other candidates have quite a bit of business experience, but he brings both business and engineering experience to the position. He worked for the U.S. Air Force at Rickenbacker AFB in Columbus. He also prepared construction bids for Kokosing Construction Company and worked for the Air National Guard in Mansfield. He is involved with Morrow County Fair activities and several community and church activities.

Polls are set to open March 15.

Zach Jones | The Sentinel Morrow County Commissioner primary candidate Loren Altizer speaks to the Mount Gilead Board of Education about what he would bring to the office if he were elected.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/02/web1_ooooh-1.jpgZach Jones | The Sentinel Morrow County Commissioner primary candidate Loren Altizer speaks to the Mount Gilead Board of Education about what he would bring to the office if he were elected.

By Alberta Stojkovic

The Sentinel

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