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04-25-2006 - Tipp City Independent
Voice |
O’Brien ready to take
experience to next level
John W. “Bud” O’Brien is the only opponent running for Miami
County Commissioner that knows the county government system inside and out.
As
the Miami County Recorder for Miami County since 1996, O’Brien said he’s
had hands-on knowledge of what’s been going on in Miami County during the
past 10 years.
“There’s a lot of things people don’t know about
county government; it’s different than city council or township trustee,” he
said. “We’re an umbrella of a variety of different organizations
that make up the county.”
O’Brien is running for the Republican nomination
on May 2 to fill the seat of retiring long-time member Ann Baird. “It’s
big shoes to fill, but I’m looking forward to doing the job,” he
said of Baird’s seat.
O’Brien is endorsed by former Commissioner
Arthur D. “Ozzie” Haddad who is acting as his Honorary Chairman.
O’Brien and his wife, Kim (who is a 1982 graduate of Tippecanoe High School
and a current teacher at Broadway Elementary School) live in Monroe Township,
but O’Brien said he considers himself to be a Miami Countian first.
“I
live in and raise my family in Monroe Township, but I’m a Miami Countian
first,” he said.
Among his goals as Commissioner, O’Brien said he’d
like to return jobs not only to Miami County, but also the surrounding region. “We
need to work with our partners locally and regionally to bring new jobs to the
area,” he said. “Just because someone like Huber Heights or Vandalia
gets a new industry doesn’t mean people from Miami County won’t be
working there. With various business closings, we have the job market to attract
new businesses.”
Another issue close to O’Brien’s heart is
that of residential growth in the county.
O’Brien said he believes while
growth is important, so to is keeping the agricultural feel of the county.
“We’re
growing, but not as fast as other parts of Ohio,” he said. “We
need to keep our farmland, but allow landowner rights to allow those to pursue
appropriate development if they desire. The revised code is pretty well covered
in this area.”
Overall,
O’Brien said his record, as a Recorder will speak for itself this May
and in November when becoming a County Commissioner.
O’Brien points to
his record as a leader locally and statewide. “I want to use my proven
record of leadership to guide the county during these complex economic times.
I have been an active member of the Ohio Recorders’ Association since
taking office in 1996. Since 2003 I have been in the ORA leadership as its
co-chairman of the legislative committee. We have worked with Recorders around
the state of Ohio and many legislators to promote good county government.”
