By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Tim Brown’s plan to resign as state representative for Wood County has left a big hole for local Republicans to fill. But Bob Mack, Perrysburg Township trustee, would like a chance at the job.
“This all came about rather quickly,” Mack said Monday afternoon. And so far, Mack is the only Republican to state a commitment to run. The party has until Aug. 15 to pick a replacement for Brown to appear on the November ballot.
Mack believes he has the qualifications for the legislative position.
“I don’t want to do anything in my life unless I’m uniquely qualified to do so,” he said. Mack said he has spent 28 years in the “trenches of commercial real estate.” And he is in the middle of his fourth term as Perrysburg Township trustee.
“I understand both the pressures of government funding and needing to make ends meet,” he said.
Mack said he also served at least a decade on an ODNR coastal resources advisory commission.
Though Mack is not up for re-election as township trustee this year, if he is chosen by the Republican House leadership to fill in Brown’s seat, he will have to relinquish his township position.
“I have very mixed emotions,” Mack said. “It gives me a little bit of angst. We always have unfinished business in township government.”
But if elected to the state legislature, Mack might be able to continue working on one of those items of unfinished business. One of his goals as a township trustee was to lead the township to a Wood County water service or get a more reasonable water contract with Toledo. “I could still have a voice in resolving water issues,” he said.
Brown’s move to the director’s position at the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments will allow him to play a role in the water rates equalization conversation being held now in the region, Mack said.
“It’s a phenomenal move for Tim, and even a better move for Wood County,” Mack said. “It’s a big deal.”
If elected, Mack said he would continue to work in real estate, which would allow him the flexibility to serve as a legislator. He noted that it is quite common for state representatives to hold “day jobs” in addition to their legislative work.
Mike Marsh, head of the Wood County Republican Party, said he has heard from other party members who are interested in the Statehouse seat. But so far, Mack is the only one who has expressed definite plans.
“He’s the only one that I’ve heard from who’s sure he’s doing it,” Marsh said.
As of earlier today, two local Democrats had stated intentions to file applications to appear on the fall ballot for the empty seat – Daniel Gordon and Kelly Wicks. The Wood County Democratic Party will select the candidate to be on the ballot. Stories about Gordon and Wicks appear elsewhere in BG Independent Media.
