By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Republicans swept the races for Wood County offices – in the three contested races and the seven unopposed races with only Republicans on the ticket.
In the three contested races, solid wins were secured by Connor Rose as the new county recorder, and by incumbents Ted Bowlus returning as county commissioner, and Jane Spoerl retaining the county treasurer’s seat.
Rose, of Bowling Green, beat Democratic candidate Jeremy Schroeder, of Weston, with 59% of the vote (36,689 to 25,849.)
“I’m very, very grateful and very honored to have won this race,” Rose said Tuesday night.
He attributed his win to months of hard work.
“It was a year ago that I pulled petitions to run, and it has been non-stop since then,” he said. “I’m honored to be the next county recorder.”
During his campaign, Rose, a licensed realtor and auctioneer, pledged to make the recorder’s office more user-friendly for the public and for businesses dealing with real estate transactions. He also vowed to be in the office full-time.
Rose said his main priority is to look into the indexing of records in the office.
While campaigning, he listed other goals as increasing the transparency in the office, improving efficiency and safeguarding property rights. He also cited the loss of many long-time employees in the record’s office over the last four years, and said he would focus on maintaining recorder’s employees.
And he vowed to bring fresh ideas to the office.
“I’m able to bring a fresh perspective, a lot of vigor and energy.”
Wood County Commissioner Ted Bowlus beat his Democratic opposition, Philip Chrysler, with 62% of the vote (39,145 to 23,735.)
“Wood County voters have known me as a person, not just a politician,” Bowlus said as the results were coming in Tuesday night. “I make decisions based on the facts, after looking at both sides – not politics.”
Bowlus said he has unfinished business as a Wood County commissioner.
“I’m dedicated to Wood County. I have a responsibility that carries on past this term,” said Bowlus, who is completing his second term in office.
Among the goals he would like to see through to completion is construction of a new county highway garage at the county’s East Gypsy Lane complex, and continued focus on mental health services and addiction programs.
Bowlus, a podiatrist with a master’s degree in neuroscience, said it’s those addiction programs that are most meaningful to him.
“My purpose is to help Wood County develop and be a better place to live with our families,” he said.
As a commissioner, Bowlus is part of the county’s annual budget process.
“We separate the needs from the wants, and everything in between,” he said. “I take a conservative approach to the budget.”
“Wood County is very strong. I’m proud of that.”
Bowlus also talked about being aware of needs throughout the county, ongoing bridge expenses, and economic development.
Commissioners need to maintain close relationships with citizens, mayors and township trustees. “They know their constituents better than we as commissioners,” he said of township officials.
As for economic development, Bowlus said Wood County is doing quite well in attracting business with its available infrastructure, geographic location, and willingness to grant tax abatements – as long as school districts are made whole.
“There is a lot of business interest in Wood County,” he said.
In the race for the Wood County Treasurer seat, incumbent Jane Spoerl retained her position, defeating Democratic opponent Sean Elliott with 62% of the vote (39,066 to 23,488.)
“I think people have been very happy with the office and the job I’ve done,” she said Tuesday night. “We continue to give good service and stay on top of new regulations.”
Spoerl, who is completing her second term as county treasurer, said she enjoys working with numbers and helping people understand how those numbers work.
She sees her role as county treasurer as an extension of her 30-plus years in local banking prior to being elected. After working with customers at MidAm, Sky, Huntington, and Modern Woodmen of America, Spoerl said she came to the county office with a lot of experience in treating people right.
“Hopefully that outreach to the community and customer service has improved,” since she became treasurer, she said.
Her goal is to make the services of the office easier to access and more efficient.
Some of the people seeking services at the treasurer’s office are frustrated by an increase in their taxes or their inability to pay.
“You treat people the way you want to be treated,” Spoerl said. “Nobody wants to depart from their money. So we’re respectful and help them understand.”
“I feel a sense of satisfaction helping people through that,” Spoerl said. “I’ve always wanted to give back and I’m using my experience in finance to do that.”
In some cases it helps to explain where citizens’ tax dollars are going.
“To help them understand the good their taxes are doing,” she said.
And in some cases it means working with people who are behind in taxes, rather than jumping to legal action, Spoerl said.
