Listen In: Two vie for open commissioner’s seat
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Oct. 29, 2024) – Two of the three seats on the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners are up for vote, but the only contested race is for the seat occupied by retiring Democrat Chris Abbuhl.
Republican Mitch Pace is general manager at Lauren Illumination and is currently a New Philadelphia Council member. He sees the positions of council member and county commissioner as a lot alike.
“I think they’re extremely similar, which will help me kind of hit the ground running,” Pace said. “The budget is the biggest thing. I’ve talked to many of the current elected officials in the county now. Their biggest constraint is obviously the budget.”
Pace has been involved with the Tuscora Park Foundation, Tuscarawas County Pony League baseball, and he organizes the Tuscora Park Trout Derby.
“My entire life I’ve always wanted to give back to the community,” Pace said. “With the open seat coming up, I thought I’d be able to expand my horizons a little bit and see what I could do not only to help New Phila, but the entire county.”
Kent Watson of Dover is the Democrat in the race. He retired from Marlite after a 20-year career where he was a middle manager. Watson feels that gives him relevant experience.
“My responsibility was to manage the staff. I had the responsibility of ordering all of the material. We had the responsibility of manufacturing of the product. We also were responsible for shipment and on-time delivery,” Watson said.
Watson has served with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, Friends of the Homeless, the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau and other boards or organizations.
“My involvement in the community has given me the knowledge of knowing what the residents of Tuscarawas need for a good qualify of life,” said Watson.
Both say economic development is a priority. Pace wants the county to remain safe by supporting the sheriff’s office. Watson hopes to have a task force address the county’s housing needs.
Republican Commissioner Greg Ress is unopposed in the other race on Tuesday’s ballot.
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