By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
One of the races for Wood County commissioner in November is pitting a veteran commissioner against a military veteran.
The incumbent Dr. Ted Bowlus, a podiatrist, is being challenged by Philip Chrysler, a recent military retiree.
In the other commissioner race, incumbent Craig LaHote is running unopposed for his position. Commissioner Doris Herringshaw has another two years on her term.
Republican incumbent Ted 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.
“That’s a responsibility I need to continue,” he said.
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.”
Sometimes that means measured change, such as the gradual replacement of sheriff’s vehicles with hybrid models.
“That’s the taxpayers’ money and we’re very careful how that is spent,” he said.
Bowlus said the county maintains a “very healthy” rainy day fund for unexpected expenses.
“There are always emergencies that come up.”
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.
The commissioners currently allocate funding to the county engineer’s office to pay for replacement or repairs to four bridges a year.
“That seems to be taking care of our problems,” Bowlus said.
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.
While Bowlus said he understands concerns about loss of fertile farmland, he also understands property rights of people who want development.
“I respect the farmers’ view. We don’t want to overbuild,” he said.
The Democratic challenger, Philip Chrysler, believes the county commissioners need to be more visible throughout the county. He would remedy that by regularly visiting meetings of city and village councils and of township trustees.
“They don’t know who their commissioners are,” he said. Better communication is needed so the commissioners understand the needs in communities across the large county.
Chrysler recently retired after 30 years with the 180th Fighter Wing, with 24 of those years being active duty. He sees the role of county commissioner as an extension of his military service.
“It dovetails with the work I’ve been doing” – working with budgets, human resources, project management and contracting for projects, he said.
The primary role of county commissioners is to make sure county offices are properly funded. That includes funding for county roads, bridges and ditches.
“We have over 600 miles of ditches that need to be maintained,” he said.
Chrysler isn’t a fan of property owners being assessed for ditch maintenance. He suggested the county should seek out funding for ditch projects.
“There’s money out there, you just have to go get it.”
He also would like county commissioners to do more lobbying for the return of support from the state’s Local Government Fund, which was slashed years ago.
“We need to start lobbying our representatives and senators in Columbus,” he said. “At some point we can’t do more with less.”
Chrysler questioned the Wood County commissioners holding onto a rainy day fund that is nearly half of the county’s annual budget.
“Do we really need to have that much? What’s the justification for sitting on so much money?”
And Chrysler said he supports diversified economic development in the county, with a focus on alternative energy.
“We need to bring in more jobs like that. We have the land. We have the people,” he said, pointing out that Wood County also has the advantage of being a road and rail transportation hub, with uncluttered air space.
